Manila, Sept. 8 -- Policemen in Negros and Siquijor must be visible on the streets to deter criminal activities and prevent incidents before they occur.

Negros Region's total crime incidents decreased by 21.02 percent in August.

"Return to the basics of policing. The fundamental duty of the police is to prevent and solve crimes, with greater emphasis on crime prevention through a visible and active police presence in communities," Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales said in his first official engagement as Director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) on Tuesday. PRO-NIR supervises the police offices of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Bacolod City.

Reales stressed the importance of effectively solving...