MANILA, Philippines — The crime volume in the entire country went down by 53.46 percent during the implementation of quarantine protocols in the last three weeks, as most Filipinos were restricted to their homes to help stem the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Data provided by Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, head of the Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield and PNP deputy chief for operations, showed that from 2,731 in February 26 to March 16, the number of crime incidents across the country was down to 1,271 from March 17 to April 5. Both periods cover 20 days.
These figures cover what the police call as eight focus crimes — murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and carnapping of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
In Luzon, where the enhanced community quarantine is being enforced, the crime volume has gone down from 1,476 to 592 (59.89 percent decrease). More than 50 million Filipinos were restricted in their homes in this most populous island of the country to help curb the spread of the illness.
The month-long quarantine in the region will end on midnight of April 13, but this could still be extended for another 15 to 20 days, according to National Task Force COVID-19 Response Chief Implementor Carlito Galvez Jr.
Meanwhile in Visayas, the crime volume was down from 709 to 362 (48.94 percent decrease), and in Mindanao, from 546 to 317 (41.94 percent decrease).
Some local government units in Visayas and Mindanao have imposed either a general or enhanced community quarantine as a measure to contain the virus, which as of Sunday had infected 3,246 individuals and left 152 people dead nationwide. A total of 64 patients have also recovered.
Eleazar added that the number of violators of certain protocols set under the quarantine order from March 17 to April 5 is now at 87,494, including 21,996 who were arrested.