THE real measure of public safety is perception, not the mere drop in crime statistics, reelectionist Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has said.
“Regardless of what figures you are going to show, what is the most important to know is the public perception – how does the public feel as far as safety and security is concerned,” Dela Rosa said in reaction to the announcement of the PNP that crime rate has decreased by 18.4 percent during the first quarter of the year.
Dela Rosa, who is a former police chief, said authorities should “go down to the streets” and directly ask people if they feel safe.
He said figures do not matter if people feel threatened with crimes happening in their respective communities.
“Ask the people if they feel safe right now with the current situation, then they will give you the direct answer,” he said.
“Mahirap yung puro na lang figures pero ang mga tao ay natatakot, di ba? So, dapat puntahan mo yung mga tao, tanungin mo. Do they feel safe? So, if safe, then good. That’s good (We cannot just rely on figures and yet the people are scared. Authorities must go directly to the people and ask them: Do they feel safe? If they feel safe, then good. That’s good),” he added.
The PNP, based on a 70-day comparative statistics, has said that focus crimes dropped to 7,301 incidents from January 12 to March 22, from 8,950 incidents recorded from November 2, 2024 to January 11, 2025.
The eight focus crimes referred in the report are murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, theft/robbery, and carnapping of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
Dela Rosa also urged the police to focus on crime prevention and solution rather than implementing orders that are “politically motivated.”
He said if crimes are left unsolved, it will not only tarnish the image of the country, but will also gravely affect the economy.
“Kulang sila sa focus sa kanilang trabaho. Dapat tutukan nila yan. Huwag silang mag focus dito sa mga order na may political implications (The police lack focus on their job. They should concentrate on crime prevention and solution and not on orders which have political implications),” he said, referring the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
