INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Crime is a universal phenomenon; it has always been an integral part of

civilization and what concerns us today and makes it a major public issue is that its

incidence has been going up in all parts of the world and among all segments of

societies (Baldwin and Bottoms, 1976). Globally, 35 million people are estimated to

suffer from drug use disorder according to the latest World Drug Report, released by the

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2019. Studies had concluded

that there is a close relationship between drug abuse and crime. Drug abusers commit

crimes to pay for their drugs and most of crimes committed were influenced by illegal

drugs. Thus, the current study will give information internationally relating to the status

of criminality in some places in the Philippines. For the first nine (9) months in 2018 the

crime volume in Eastern Visayas gets lower based on the comparative report of the

Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD), a total of 7,325

incidents were recorded from January to September in 2018 compared to 8,338 cases

recorded in 2017. In 2014, there were about 558 crime incidents per 100,000 individuals

across the Eastern Visayas Region of the Philippines. Provinces of Biliran, Leyte,

Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Ormoc and Tacloban

comprise the region and has around 4.4 million population. According to the Tacloban

City police, in 2016 the crime rate in Tacloban has been reduced by more than half.

Police records show that from july 1 to September 29 2016, authorities recorded a total

of 134 crimes, lower by 55 percent from 2015 297 crimes. Tacloban City police director

Senior Superintendent Rolando bade said the government war against drugs played an
important role in the crime reduction. A total of 2,759 drug users have surrendered on

October 3, 2016 while others were neutralized. “Most of them (surrenders and

naturalized) were also involved in petty crimes like theft,” Bade said. Based on the

statistics donned by authorities, the crime rate in the Philippines over the years had

decreased which gives insights and ideas to the current study about the status of

criminality in Region 8. Hence, the statistics implicates that the government of different

administration was successful in implementing their programs in maintaining peace and

order.

The Philippines has a moderately high rate of violent crime, particularly in the

capital city of Manila. Philippines ranks 70 when it comes to crime rate in the world.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorate for Investigation and

Detective Management, theft, physical assault and robbery were among the most

common crimes reported to the local authorities in 2018. Furthermore the study can

contribute information on what type of crimes is committed as well as the status of

criminalities in the specific Municipalities in the province of Leyte Philippines. Crime is a

major concern in many countries, it is not a new concept, it has been around since the

beginning of civilization, and the theories of why people commit crimes have changed

as crime trends have evolved. Drugs are related to crime in multiple ways, it contributes

to the rise of crime rate in a country through the effects that it gives on the user’s

behavior and by generating violence and other illegal activity. Crime has been a dark

and powerful undercurrent in human society throughout history; the recent growth rate

of crime has not only been unprecedented but also has been accelerating.
 The researchers conducted the study to contribute in developing knowledge and

to increase public awareness in terms of the status of criminality in Municipalities in the

province of Leyte Philippines. Crime is a part of our everyday life. Crime could change

someone’s life in a second, and it can also end your life or might save you from

suffering. The researchers do the study to find new things and figure out answer of the

problems, the findings can help to make a better living and safer environment. Lastly,

the study will give insights and strategy as an aid and integral ingredient in efficient

crime prevention.