Dagupan City (5 February) -- Pangasinan province is generally peaceful with the implementation of programs and policies under the Philippine National Police transformation program in addressing criminality, according to Sr. Supt Percival Barba, police provincial director.

He said that under his leadership, the provincial police will continue to be a partner of the provincial government in steering Pangasinan towards development and stability. Barba paraphrased the present administration's vision on peace and order as he assured every citizen to have a peaceful place to work, invest, live and raise a family.

Barba attributed the decrease in crime incidents to the shotguns issued to the barangays last year.

Appearing before the sangguniang panlalawigan last Monday, Barba of PMA class 1982, outlined the peace and order situation updates in the province along with the accomplishments of the provincial police office last year.

According to the provincial director, the total crime volume for 2008 was 1,917 compared to 2,093 of 2007, a decrease of 176.

Police records show that the 2nd congressional district is the most peaceful among the six districts of Pangasinan.

On the same period, crime solution efficiency was higher by two percent at 91percent compared to 89 percent of 2007.

The province likewise recorded 185 vehicular incidents in 2008 while there were 196 shooting incidents, 31 of which were due for filing in court, 97 already filed in court while 68 were under further investigation.

On the enforcement of special laws, a total of 851 persons were arrested including Ronald Quitaleg Pidlaoan, a suspected member of the Quitaleg kidnap-for-ransom group operating in Northern and Central Luzon. Based on PPO data, there were 15 gun-for-hire persons from Pangasinan.

Further, the PPO conducted 163 positive operations on loose firearms resulting in the arrest of 155 persons; 172 positive operations on illegal gambling leading to the arrest of 353 persons; 22 anti-carnapping operations leading to the arrest of 11 persons and recovery of assorted vehicles.

Operations on illegal logging, enforcement of intellectual property rights, prostitution and vagrancy and anti-drugs were also conducted.

In addition, the sustained implementation of fishery laws, led to the arrest of 245 persons and confiscation of assorted fishes and motorized bancas with an estimated amount of P1,500,000.00. Corresponding cases were already filed in court.

The PPO also started transferring personnel to their residency to allow them to have more time with their family and serve their community better. The said undertaking is now 90% complete.

PD Barba thanked the LGUs and the provincial government for their support.