MANILA, Philippines — There was a “substantial decline” in index crime rates from July 2022 to July 2024 compared with the same period of 2016 to 2018, the Philippine National Police said on Tuesday, a day after former President Rodrigo Duterte claimed at a Senate hearing that crimes had spiked under President Marcos.
The PNP said it had recorded 83,059 index crimes from July 1, 2022, to July 28, 2024—a 61.87 percent decline against 217,830 reported incidents during the same period of 2016 to 2018.
“Our latest data indicates a substantial decline in crime rates, underscoring the effectiveness of our ongoing strategies and proactive measures … This significant downward trend spans various categories of crime,” it said in a statement.
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Index crimes include theft, physical injury, rape, robbery, murder, homicide, motorcycle theft and vehicle theft.
“Crimes against persons, such as murder, homicide, physical injuries, and rape, decreased by 55.69 percent,” said the PNP, which recorded 11,641 fewer murder cases, 2,420 fewer homicide cases, 2,719 [fewer] rape cases, and a “notable decrease” of 34,966 incidents of physical injuries.
‘Due process, human rights’
Meanwhile, “crimes against property,” including robbery, theft, and carjacking, registered a significant decrease of 66.81 percent, with reported cases dropping from 124,799 to 41,420 during the same period, the PNP said.
Police also seized illegal drugs worth P35.6 billion and arrested 122,309 individuals involved in drug-related offenses during the Marcos administration.
Duterte said on Monday, the start of the Senate probe of his drug war, that drug-related crimes have become more rampant under his successor.
Malacañang was quick to dismiss Duterte’s claims, with Executive SecrGroups welcome SC TRO on PhilHealth fund transferetary Lucas Bersamin saying that the PNP’s statistics showed a “complete opposite.”
“There has been a widespread decline in crime across the board … Moreover, we have achieved stability and maintained peace and order in our country without foregoing due process [or] setting aside the basic human rights of any Filipino,” he said.