BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Police Office’s (BCPO) Anti-Theft Task Force continues to yield positive results as another suspect was apprehended following a theft incident on March 6, 2025.
Initial investigations revealed that an 18-year-old college student from Tondo, Manila, was walking along the O-Shape overpass at Harrison Road when officers from BCPO Police Station 7 spotted a 35-year-old suspect pickpocketing.
Acting swiftly, the officers pursued the suspect and successfully arrested him at Igorot Garden.
The BCPO said this incident is not isolated.
On December 7, 2024, a woman from Caloocan City was arrested for stealing a smart cellular phone from a night market customer along Harrison Road.
During her apprehension, police recovered 15 cellphones of various brands and models.
Since the activation of BCPO’s Anti-Theft Task Force in December 2024, police have recorded 12 theft cases where suspects were immediately arrested.
These arrests account for nearly half of the city’s total theft incidents.
Moreover, theft cases have significantly declined, dropping from 55 recorded incidents in the same period last year to 26 this year.
BCPO stated that this substantial decrease underscores the effectiveness of its proactive crime prevention strategies and the sustained efforts of the Anti-Theft Task Force in enhancing safety in Baguio City.
The task force operates under IMPLAN KALMANG Paglalakbay (Kaagapay sa Ligtas at Maginhawang Paglalakbay), an initiative focused on proactive policing measures to improve public safety.
Key strategies include deploying plainclothes officers and increasing police visibility, particularly during peak hours and in high-traffic areas.
Additionally, BCPO continues to disseminate anti-criminality tips through OPLAN TAMBULI and other media platforms.
These initiatives align with the five-pronged program of BCPO City Director PCOL Ruel D. Tagel, which prioritizes crime prevention and efficient crime resolution.
Despite the swift arrests, the BCPO stresses that crime prevention remains the primary objective.
“We encourage everyone to stay vigilant, safeguard their belongings, and work closely with authorities to deter crime before it happens,” PCOL Tagel stated.
By reinforcing crime prevention measures and fostering community cooperation, BCPO aims to make Baguio City a safer place to live, work, do business, and study.
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