BACOLOD CITY — Crime incidents across the Negros Island Region (NIR) fell by more than 21% in August 2026, according to police data, marking a significant year-on-year decline across the region.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) recorded 695 total crime incidents in August, compared with 880 incidents in August 2025.
That translates to 185 fewer reported incidents, or a 21.02% decrease.
But while the numbers point to an improving peace-and-order situation, police officials are stressing that the decline is not a reason to become complacent.
Eight major crimes also declined
The improvement was not limited to the overall crime count.
PRO-NIR data showed that the region’s eight focus crimes dropped by 10.53%, from 95 cases in August 2025 to 85 cases in August 2026.
These focus crimes include:
- Murder
- Homicide
- Physical injury
- Rape
- Robbery
- Theft
- Motor vehicle theft
- Motorcycle theft
PNA independently reported the same 10.53% decline in the eight focus crimes.
Public safety incidents posted the biggest drop
The most dramatic improvement came under the Public Safety Indicator, which fell by 56.71%.
Incidents under this indicator dropped from 298 in August 2025 to 129 in August 2026.
Police attributed much of the reduction to fewer vehicular incidents involving physical injuries and property damage.
Meanwhile, the Peace and Order Indicator declined by 2.75%, from 582 incidents to 566.
The Index Crime Volume also decreased by 10.53%, from 95 to 85 cases, while non-index crimes slipped by 1.23%, from 487 to 481 incidents.
What police say is behind the decline
PRO-NIR attributed the improvement to several measures, including:
increased police visibility, faster response to incidents, focused law-enforcement operations, intelligence-led policing, and stronger coordination with local governments, barangay officials and community groups.
The regional police office has also emphasized the importance of residents cooperating with authorities by reporting crimes, suspicious activities and emergencies.
New PRO-NIR chief: Don’t let the numbers create complacency
The latest development comes as Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales takes over as the new PRO-NIR director.
Reales has instructed police personnel in Negros and Siquijor to maintain a strong presence on the streets, emphasizing crime prevention through visible and active policing.
PRO-NIR supervises police offices in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Bacolod City.
Reales succeeded Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, who has since been assigned as director of the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas.
That leadership transition is significant because the latest crime figures were released around the end of Cardiño’s tenure, while Reales is now responsible for sustaining — and potentially improving — the downward trend.
The numbers are encouraging, but there are still pressure points
The 21.02% decline represents a substantial reduction in reported incidents, but it should not be interpreted as meaning every type of crime went down.
Earlier PRO-NIR data covering Cardiño’s first 100 days showed that some categories were actually increasing.
During that period, rape cases rose 6.82% while robbery increased 13.64%, despite the broader decline in crime indicators.
That distinction matters.
A decline in total reported incidents does not automatically mean every community is experiencing the same improvement or that every crime category is falling.
Police operations remain intensified
The broader enforcement picture also shows continued police activity throughout the region.
During Cardiño’s nearly four-month stint as PRO-NIR director, police reported 792 anti-illegal-drug operations, resulting in the arrest of 1,039 alleged drug personalities and the seizure of more than 21.5 kilograms of suspected shabu and about 1.44 kilograms of marijuana.
Police also reported operations against loose firearms, illegal gambling and cigarette smuggling.
PNA separately reported that PRO-NIR recovered approximately ₱228.22 million worth of illegal drugs and smuggled cigarettes during Cardiño’s tenure.
A safer Negros — but the work continues
The latest figures offer an encouraging snapshot of public safety in Negros Island.
From 880 reported incidents in August 2025 to 695 in August 2026, the decline represents nearly one-fifth fewer reported incidents in a single year.
But police leadership is signaling that the next challenge is sustaining the improvement.
For Reales, that means going back to the fundamentals: visible policing, crime prevention, effective investigation, discipline and accountability.
The message from authorities is therefore twofold: the numbers are moving in the right direction — but Negros cannot afford to let its guard down
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