Police to cut response times to 5 minutes

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—At a little over 1 percent increase in crimes this year compared to last year’s, Bohol Provincial Police Office intends to implement and institutionalize the 5-minute response strategy as a priority program and ensure operational readiness of police to meet crime response targets.

Thus reports Police Lieutenant Colonel Joey M. Bicoy during the recent joint meeting of the Provincial Development Council, Peace and Order Council and Anti Drug Abuse Council at the Ceremonial Hall of the Capitol.

Earlier, Camp Dagohoy, headquarters of the Bohol Police, released through Col Bicoy the data that showed that from January to May 31, 2025, total crime incidents reaching police blotters all over Bohol totaled 2,965 as against the same period in 2024 when the crimes summed up to 2,929.

The 38 cases increase comprise the 1.22 percent difference, points out Col Bicoy.

These crimes can be broken down into two: crimes relating to peace and order and to public safety.

For the crimes involving public safety, in the first 151 days or the first five months, crimes affecting peace and order in 2025 reached 1,385, in contrast to 2024 when, of the same period, the crimes only totaled 1,286; the 99 cases difference means an increase of 9 percent increase in crimes of peace.

On the other hand, on crimes affecting public safety, in 2024, police stations tallied 1,646 crimes; as against 2025’s 1,580 or a difference of 66 crimes showed a 9 percent decrease.

Of these crimes involving peace and order, Col Bicoy pointed to an increase of 129 cases or 10.03 percent increase.

For index crimes, Col Bicoy reported that there were 322 cases in 2024 as against 2025 when index crimes totaled 230, a notable 28.57 percent decrease.

The decrease is 28.57 % as against non Index crimes for the first five months in 2024 reached 961 as against the same months in 2025 with 1,155.

This 194 cases increase is 20.19 percent increase within the year, he pointed.

As to the 8 focused crime which the police monitored, the increase in crimes this year can be creditable to homicide which increased from 4 to 9, and rape which went from 28 to 43.

All other crimes dipped, with theft registering 47% decrease, physical injuries at 25%, robbery at 41% and murder at 24% decreases.

Even motor-napping and carnapping also sagged 53% and 0 percent respectively.

Col Bicoy also said of the 228 cases of crimes involving those they focused, 158 have been solved, 69 are cleared and only one case remain unsolved.

With the apparent successes, Col Bicoy said they will sustain the police presence and increase police operations aligned with the PNP flagship programs, continuously conduct intelligence-driven operations targeting drug personalities and criminal elements and initiate and innovate programs to foster a secure and peaceful environment for the community, making Bohol a safer place to live, work and do business. (PIABohol)

INCREASE POLICE RESPONSE TIME. Bohol police operations chief Lt Col Joey Bicoy, speaking for Police Colonel Arnel Banzon said they will continue to innovate and put up more police presence in the streets as crime deterrent and position the police nearer to where crimes happen to peg a less that 5 minutes response time. (PIABohol)