THE PNP yesterday reported a 26.76 percent decrease in index crimes in the country during the first 45 days of the year com-pared to the same period last year.
In a statement, the PNP said there were 3,528 index crime cases or eight focus crimes were reported throughout the country from January 1 to February 14, down from 4,817 cases last year.
Index crimes are crimes against persons and property — murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping of motor vehicles and carnapping of motorcycles.
The PNP said the most significant decline was recorded in rape incidents which declined by 50.6 percent from 1,261 cases last year to 623 this year.
Year-on-year data showed a 7.31 percent decrease in index crimes last year when 38,667 incidents were recorded compared to 41,717 incidents in 2023.
“These figures reflect our firm commitment to ensuring safer communities. The data speaks for itself—crime is going down,” PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said.
“Our strategic efforts, public cooperation, and the use of tech-nology are making a real impact,” added Marbil.
Marbil attributed the accomplishment to sustained law en-forcement efforts, including heightened police visibility in high-crime areas, intensified intelligence and investigative op-erations to dismantle criminal networks, and enhanced use of digital platforms and surveillance to enhance crime detection and response.
He also noted the strengthened collaboration between the PNP and the community, which he said is vital in crime prevention.
“We are not just responding to crimes; we are working proac-tively to prevent it. The PNP continues to evolve, using data-driven strategies and modern technology to stay ahead of crimi-nals,” said Marbil.
He also highlighted the role of social media, which he said is serving as a tool in the detection, prevention and solution of crimes.
“Crimes may seem more visible because they go viral on social media, but what’s crucial is that the same platforms help speed up investigations and bring criminals to justice. We encourage responsible reporting, the use of social media as a tool for safe-ty, not panic,” said Marbil.
In Metro Manila, there was a 21.71 percent decrease in index crimes during the first 46 days of the year compared to the pre-vious year, the National Capital Region Police Region (NCRPO) said.
The NCRPO said it recorded 667 index crime cases in the re-gion during the period, down from 852 cases last year.
The steepest declines were recorded in homicide which de-creased by 50 percent (from 24 to 12) and rape which declined by 41.57 percent (from 166 to 97).
The NCRPO attributed the feat to “highly intensified police vis-ibility efforts” in areas of convergence, busy streets and alleys, business districts and secluded areas, among others.
It also noted that mobile and response teams are also strategi-cally positioned “to immediately address emergency situations and calls for assistance from the public.”
“There is no doubt that this consistent decline of crimes in Metro Manila and the increase in the crime solution effi-ciency of the NCRPO are results of the strong, consistent and dependable partnership between the police and the community,” said NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin.
