Pagadian City total crime volume increases 41.16%, crime solution increases 101% with crime cleared rating of 294.4%

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POSTED By JONG D. CADION-Mindanao Pagadian Frontline

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Dec. 25, 2014-MPF News) --The total crime volume in Pagadian City increased to 41.16 percent but the Crime Solution Efficiency (CSE) also increased by 101 percent compared to last year 2013 in the same period from January to November of this year 2014 with Crime Cleared Efficiency Rating (CCER) of 294.4 percent, city police statistics report said.

Pagadian City Chief of Police Supt. Glenn Dulawan said the crime volume for the period of January 1 to November 30, 2014 registered to 2,274 which is  higher than 2013 with a total of 1,338 crime incidents or an increase by 936 crime incidents or 41.16 percent of crime volume.

Dulawan said the huge increase of crime volume was experienced nationwide in the month of August due to the change of system entry of reported incidents in the police blotter including entries for record purposes.

Dulawan also said that the index crime increased to 1,112 in 2014 from 740 in 2013 with an increase of 372 crime incidents of 33.45 percent while in non-index crime it registered at 1,162 in 2014 compared to 598 crime incidents in 2013 or an increase of 564 or 48.53 percent crime incidents.

He further said Pagadian City has the average monthly crime rate (AMCR) of 90.91 in 2014 compared to 60.37 in 2013 which registered at 63.37 crime incidents per 100,00 population or an increase of 30.54 crime incident or 34 percent.

However Dulawan also explained that even though there is an increase of crime volume, the City Police Station has tremendously increased their accomplishments in the CSE for the period of January 1 to November 30, 2014 which registered at 24.45 percent, higher than that of the same period in 2013 which registered at 12.18 percent, an increase of 12.27 or 101 percent with CCER registered to 30.65 percent in 2014, which is also higher than that of the same period in 2013 which registered at 7.77 percent, an increase of 22.88 of 299.4 percent rating.

He added that the crime statistics shows the type of offense recorded: physical injuries have 491 incidents and 197 of them were resulting from vehicular accidents or 40 percent of the total physical injury incidents. To counter these, a half-day seminar was conducted every Friday to any violators of traffic rules and regulations, he said.

Zero firecrackers and stray bullet injury in Zamboanga del Sur on Christmas Eve

 Video from 9News TV Ph Cebuano

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POSTED By JONG CADION-Mindanao Pagadian Frontline

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Dec. 26, 2014) --- At least zero injury on firecrackers and stray bullet during the celebration of Christmas Eve being reported from 26 municipalities in Zamboanga del Sur and Pagadian City, Police Official said.

Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre said Thursday that as of 10:00 AM today no victim on firecrackers was been reported.

Ecaldre commended all his Municipal Police Station chiefs for the job well done towards their “Iwas Paputok Campaign” since December 15 and prohibition of using firecrackers during the Christmas Eve and New Year’s celebration.

Ecaldre is also hoping that the same achievement will be made on the New Years rivalry celebration.

The police had recorded one fatality of stray bullet during the 2013 New Year’s revelry in this city but zero in 2014 and 6 injuries in 2013 and only 2 in 2014 or a 66 percent reduction of injuries.

Department of Health (DOH) records shows from December 21 to January 5 2013 Zamboanga del Sur has recorded 6 cases, Zamboanga City 1, Zamboanga del Norte 1, Zamboanga Sibugay zero and Isabela zero.

In the comparative reports from DOH in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula from December 5 to January 5 in 2013-2014 firecrackers has 64 while 8 on 2014; Stray 6 on 2013 while 2 on 2014; Watusi has zero from 2013 to 2014 with the total reduction of injuries of 85 percent. (JONG CADION-MPF News)

BAN Toxics lauds Customs for smuggled mercury nab

By Angelica Pago

Media and Communications Manager

angelica@bantoxics.org/09989595785

MANILA, Philippines  (December 27, 2014)  – Environmental justice group BAN Toxics (BT) lauded the Bureau of Customs (BoC) for intercepting the illicit mercury shipment from China last December 23 at the Manila International Container Port.

“We support and further encourage our Customs officials to continue enforcing environmental laws, especially those that pertain to chemicals and wastes, because of their huge impact on public health,” said BAN Toxics executive director Atty. Richard Gutierrez.

According to news reports, the BoC apprehended seven container vans containing various items including 360 kilos of mercury worth an estimated P1.8 million. At the moment, only one of the seven container vans have been opened, with the rest to be opened and inspected in the coming days.

“The illegal traders of mercury have profited immensely over the years at the expense of our health and environment. The government should throw the full force of law in prosecuting the offenders and halting the entry of mercury and similarly banned chemicals into the Philippines,” Gutierrez added.

Mercury is a heavy metal that is highly toxic. It is a potent neurotoxin that adversely affects humans, especially children and pregnant mothers. Despite this, mercury is still widely used in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Philippines. The DENR estimates that over 70 tons of mercury is emitted into the environment by the sector annually.

In its 2013 report entitled Mercury Trade in the Philippines:  An Investigative Research on Mercury Flows in the Philippines[i], BT revealed that most importation of mercury into the Philippines is done illegally. The government, in the past year has taken steps to address the use of mercury in the country. In June, President Aquino issued Executive Order 79 which expressly prohibits the use of mercury in ASGM.

In October 2013, the Philippines signed the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which seeks to install global controls over the use, trade, production, and disposal of mercury.

“We are concerned that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Asia is now a major mercury trading hub. We can expect to see an increase in illegal trade of mercury in the region in the coming years,” Gutierrez said.

To avert the influx of mercury into the country, the group recommends the following steps:

1. Eliminate major demand for mercury in the country. The government should support the mercury ban by supporting and promoting mercury-free ASGM practices through technical assistance and education;
2. Update and eliminate exemptions and close loopholes under DENR Administrative Order 1997-38 which was imposes requirements for the importation, manufacture, distribution and use of mercury and mercury compunds, including its storage, transport and disposal.
3. Phase out dental amalgam use. Dental amalgam contain 50% mercury and has been an indirect mercury supply source for ASGM; and
4. Immediate ratification of the Minamata Convention. The Philippines will need the community of nations behind it to help prevent production and trade of mercury.

“As more countries prohibit mercury, illegal traders will look for places to dump the unwanted mercury. The silver lining in this situation is that the Philippine government is in a very good position to take steps in eliminating mercury use and to do so immediately. The BOC is already leading the way.” adds Gutierrez.