THE crime rate in Metro Manila went down by as much as 19.61% last month, the National Capital Region Police Office said yesterday.
NCRPO Acting Director Brig.General Anthony Aberin said “aggressive and relentless” policing led to the decline, with only 451 crimes against persons and properties tallied last January.
The number is lower by 111 compared to the same month last year, Aberin added.
Aberin said NCRPO data showed rape cases dropped by 46.49 percent, physical injuries by 37.14 percent, homicide by 28.57 percent, murder by 17.65 percent, and theft by 23.05 percent.
He also cited the increasing efficiency of the police in addressing crimes with 92.46 percent recorded for clearance efficiency and 72.73 percent for solution efficiency.
“The timely arrest of these lawless elements contributes to crime reduction as it removes perpetrators from the streets to victimize helpless individuals,” Aberin said.
He said the NCRPO will continue to work closely with the 17 local government units in Metro Manila, communities and various non-government and civic organizations to further boost the anti-criminality drive.
“Let us not rest on this initial operational milestone but instead, let us aspire more to further improve the peace and security situation in Metro Manila by doing our job of crime prevention and solution exceptionally well, with the help of our security partners and the members of the community,” Aberin said.
He also credited the strict implementation of various local ordinances, ranging from the ban on smoking and drinking in public places to curfew and even the unauthorized use of karaoke beyond the allowed hours for the decline in crimes.
The NCRPO said more than 148,000 violators were apprehended in the first three weeks of 2025 due to stricter implementation of various ordinances.
This also led to the local government units earning more than P42 million in fines.