The Apayao Police Provincial Office (APPO) recorded a 50% decrease in crime incidents in the second quarter of 2025, with only 18 cases logged compared to 36 in the first quarter.
PLTCOL Darwin Clark Domocmat presented the data during the joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) held on June 16 at the Apayao Training and Sports Center (ATSC) in Luna.
The cases reported include one murder, three rape incidents, five cases of physical injury, and four instances of robbery or theft. No homicide was reported, while two incidents remain under investigation. The APPO attribute the decline to consistent anti-criminality campaigns, enhanced visibility, and the active involvement of municipal police units.
Municipalities such as Luna reduced their crime count from nine to four. Pudtol dropped from four to two, while Calanasan, Kabugao, and Santa Marcela posted zero-crime records for two consecutive quarters.
During the period, APPO conducted more than 3,800 crime-prevention activities such as lectures, information campaigns, barangay dialogues, and sessions targeting illegal drug awareness. The office also expanded its reach through house visitations and educational efforts under the Oplan Tagapagpatupad initiative.
Enforcement operations targeting illegal drugs, unlicensed firearms, illegal logging, and the arrest of wanted persons, some on regional and provincial watchlists, also contributed to the improved figures. Road safety campaigns were likewise intensified in the province.
APPO’s performance continues to gain recognition. It ranked first in the region for April with a rating of 83.43, and second in May with a score of 83.35, based on performance assessments.
The provincial office is set to continue the rollout of Pulis sa Barangay under IMPLAN 2024-001, broaden the implementation of Oplan Tagapagpatupad, and sustain high-impact operations in partnership with Local Government Units (LGUs) and community stakeholders.
Apayao remains among the region’s most peaceful provinces, an achievement built on consistent ground-level engagement and inter-agency coordination. By Loremia Pareja
