LEGAZPI CITY, July 22 -- The crime rate in the Bicol region dropped by 9 percent in the first semester of 2026 following sustained police operations, the Police Regional Office in Bicol reported on Wednesday.

PRO-5 spokesperson Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib said incidents involving the eight focus crimes totaled 1,026 from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2026, lower than the 1,229 incidents recorded in the same period in 2025.

"This indicates a decrease of 203 crime incidents, highlighting the effectiveness of the unit's intensified crime prevention initiatives, intelligence-driven operations, and proactive law enforcement strategies," she said.

Calubaquib said the eight focus crimes recorded during the period include 64 cases of murder, 23 cases of hom...