Crimes committed by motorcycle-riding suspects down by 53% in NCR

LOOK: Crimes committed by motorcycle-riding suspects in Metro Manila down by 53 percent from 2017 to 2018. 📸: NCRPO @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/grprpqy5zM

— Cathrine Gonzales (@cgonzalesINQ) February 18, 2019

MANILA, Philippines — Crimes committed by motorcycle-riding suspects (MRS) in Metro Manila went down by 53.11 percent in 2018 compared to the previous year, data from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) revealed.

The NCRPO said the number of crimes committed by MRS went down to 400 in 2018 from 853 cases recorded in 2017.

Murder perpetrated by MRS also went down from 338 in 2017 to only 50 in 2018, or an 85.21-percent decrease in just a year.

Homicide cases, meanwhile, dropped by 66.67 percent, from 24 in 2017 to 8 reported crimes in 2018. Robbery cases likewise dropped from 224 to 186, or a 16.96-percent decrease.

Of the total number of MRS crimes committed in 2017, only 159 were cleared, which means suspects have been identified but remain at large; while 84 were solved, which means suspects been identified, arrested, and charged in court.

In 2018, the NCRPO said 167 of the MRS crimes recorded were cleared and 120 were solved.

NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar told INQUIRER.net that the drop in crimes committed by motorcycle-riding suspects is due to the implementation of the intensified police checkpoint operations.

He said suspects use motorcycles in crimes because of their “maneuverability,” which allow them to easily escape the crime scene.

“Ang gunman almost 360 degrees talaga ang reach niyan (The gunman has almost a 360-degree reach),” he said, adding that potential suspects can also wear helmets to prevent being identified. /ee