The deployment of police officers along a major highway in Eastern Visayas has contributed to a reduction in crime incidents, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday.

The decrease in crime incidents in Eastern Visayas, according to Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, PNP Eastern Visayas regional director, is due to "strengthened police operations and intensified police presence" along the Maharlika Highway.

When compared to the same period last year, crime incidents in the region decreased in the first two months of 2023.

From January to February this year, the police stations in the region recorded 1,307 incidents, a decrease of 209 incidents over the same period in 2022.

The regional police office previously established Task Force Maharlika, which aims to prevent crime incidents along the route that runs from Allen in Northern Samar to San Ricardo in Southern Leyte.

On February 11, 765 PNP personnel were deployed as reinforcements for the existing personnel tasked with guarding the main highway.

The task force was formed by Marbil in response to reports that the major highway was being used for the transportation of various contrabands, such as illegal drugs, loose firearms, and products from illegal logging.

Police officers on the ground are responsible for mobile patrol, route and road security, border control, mobile checkpoints, and other law enforcement operations.

The team will also be the first responder in the event of an emergency along the highway.