Metro Manila crime rate down 80 percent, thanks to ECQ – Sinas

MANILA, Philippines — Crime rate in Metro Manila decreased by 80 percent due to the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon, the leadership of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Friday.

Metro Manila police chief Brig. Gen. Sinas said few people committed illegal activities because of the strict home quarantine policy imposed by the government as one of the preemptive moves to combat the spread of coronavirus disease.

“Malaki po, 80% po ang ibinaba ng crimes… We are observing it kasi nga walang tao sa kalye… pero despite of everything nanghuhuli pa rin ‘yung tao natin ng mga nangaabuso para po mapigilan po sila,” he said.

(There’s a big decrease in crime rate. Around 80 percent. We are observing this because there are no people in the streets. But despite this we will continue to be vigilant against criminals who are taking advantage of the quarantine.)

“Despite na naggagawa tayo ng quarantine, may mangilan-ngilan lang naman ‘yan but we assure you, mababa po talaga ang crime natin,” he added.

(Despite our few duties for the quarantine, we assure you that the crime rate really went down.)

The NCRPO assisted in guarding the checkpoints to ensure that only essential workers and delivery of basic goods will cross at metro borders.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government also ordered police officers to help local government units in ensuring that residents stay in their homes to halt further community transmission of the infectious disease.