Crimes in the Central Luzon Region have dropped by 5.9 percent within a one-year period, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 reported on Sunday.

In a statement, PRO3 Director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. said 37,754 crimes were recorded from Feb. 22, 2023 to Feb. 21, 2024.

The total is 5.9 percent or 2,360 incidents lower than the Feb. 2022 to Feb. 2023 data of 40,114, he added.

Hidalgo said PHP154,037,486.27 worth of illegal drugs were seized and 8,319 suspects were arrested in 5,861 operations during the period.

A total of 1,310 most wanted persons were likewise arrested.

The campaign against illegal gambling resulted in the arrest of 6,233 suspects, confiscation of PHP3,792,926 bet money, and the eventual filing of 1,722 cases in court.

PRO3 confiscated 1,296 loose firearms and nabbed 662 suspects while 606 cases were filed in courts for violation of the law on firearms and ammunition. (PNA)

Photo credit: Facebook/PoliceRegionalOffice3