BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Police Office’s (BCPO) Anti-Theft Team continues to yield positive results, with another suspect apprehended following a theft incident that transpired on March 6, 2025.
Initial investigation disclosed that an 18-year-old college student from Tondo, Manila, was walking along the O-Shape overpass at Harrison Road when BCPO Police Station 7 patrol officers noticed the 35-year-old suspect pickpocketing. Acting swiftly, the officer pursued and successfully apprehended the suspect at the Igorot Garden.
It may be noted that this is not an isolated incident. On December 7, 2024, police officers arrested a woman from Caloocan City for stealing a smart cellular phone from a night market customer along Harrison Road, during which 15 cellphones of various brands and models were recovered from the suspect.
Since the activation of BCPO’s Anti-Theft Task Force in December 2024, police have recorded 12 theft cases where suspects were immediately arrested—accounting for nearly half of the city’s total theft incidents. More importantly, there has been a significant decline in theft cases compared to the same period last year, with recorded incidents dropping from 55 to 26. This remarkable decrease highlights the effectiveness of BCPO’s proactive crime prevention strategies and the sustained efforts of the Anti-Theft Task Force in making Baguio a safer city.
This task force operates under IMPLAN KALMANG Paglalakbay (Kaagapay sa Ligtas at Maginhawang Paglalakbay), an initiative aimed at enhancing public safety through proactive policing. Key measures include deploying plainclothes officers and increasing police visibility, particularly during peak hours and in areas of convergence.
Additionally, BCPO keeps the public informed with anti-criminality tips through OPLAN TAMBULI and other media platforms. This initiative aligns with the five-pronged program of BCPO City Director PCol. Ruel D. Tagel, which prioritizes crime prevention and solution efficiency.
While these anti-theft strategies have led to swift arrests, the BCPO emphasizes that prevention remains the top priority. “We encourage everyone to stay vigilant, safeguard their belongings, and work closely with authorities to deter crime before it happens,” PCol. Tagel said. By strengthening crime prevention and fostering community support, we move closer to making Baguio an ideal place to live, work, do business, and study.
