During quarantine, crime decreased by 57%: PNP

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THE PNP yesterday reported a 57 percent decrease in the number of murder, robbery, rape and other crimes during the first 84 days of varying community quarantine implemented by government throughout the country.

From March 17 to June 8, the PNP said there were 5,652 cases of murder (932), homicide (252), physical injury (1,348), rape (885), robbery (658), theft (1,391), carnapping of motorcycles (170) and carnapping of motor vehicles (16).

The number is fewer than the previous 84 days, from December 24 to March 16, when there were 13,004 reported cases of murder (1,486), homicide (359), physical injury (2,171), rape (1,738), robbery (2,036), theft (4,246), carnapping of motorcycles (880) and carnapping of motorcycles (88).

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In Luzon, the eight focused crimes went down by 61 percent, from 6,922 cases to 2,720, during the period. Visayas recorded a 54 percent drop, from 3,344 cases to 1,546, while Mindanao saw a 49 percent drop, from 2,738 to 1,386.

PNP chief Archie Gamboa said the figure means the PNP has not relented on its duty to protect the people even while cops were helping in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

“Even as we are faced with unprecedented challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the PNP remains steadfast in fulfilling our mandate to serve and protect the people, not only as police frontliners but as enforcers of peace and order,” he said.

Data from the Joint Task Force COVID Shield showed that 193,779 violators of the community quarantine have been warned, fined and arrested as of June 8. Most of the violators were from Luzon with 126,038, followed by Visayas with 34,370 while Mindanao had 33,371 violators.

Cops, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry, also arrested 885 people for hoarding, profiteering and manipulation of prices of essential goods while 15,119 public utility operators and drivers were also arrested during the period.

JTF COVID Shield chief Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar urged law enforcers and the public to be wary of what he called “quarantine fatigue,” saying this may lead to more COVID-19 infections.

Eleazar warned that quarantine burnout may lead cops and soldiers manning quarantine checkpoints and civilians not to observe health protocols like regular washing of hands, wearing of face mask and physical distancing.

“The coronavirus is like a criminal. It is just waiting for an opportunity to strike, to infect people who would lower their guard,” said Eleazar, also the PNP deputy chief for operations.

Eleazar said the task force is taking steps to ensure the wellness and alertness of soldiers and policemen who are manning checkpoints, including the regular rotation of duty.

Apart from policemen and soldiers, the task force is also composed of personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fire Protection.

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