PH index crime rate down by 8 percent, PNP claims

With barely two months till 2023, the Philippine National Police reported that there have been fewer crimes committed this year compared with 2022.

Citing the latest data from its Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System, the PNP said the country’s index crime volume between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31 was at 34,908, down by 8.24 percent or a decrease of 2,877 cases compared with the same period last year at 32,031 cases.

Index crimes are crimes against persons and property, while nonindex crimes are other illegal acts that violate special laws or local ordinances.

Focus crimes, which include murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, rape and carnapping, likewise decreased by 8.18 percent, from 34,702 cases last year to 31,864 cases in 2023 of the same period.

Intensified efforts

The decrease in crimes, the PNP claimed, “confirmed the resounding success of the PNP’s intensified operational efforts.”

According to PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., the figures served as “undeniable proof of the effectiveness of the PNP’s law enforcement initiatives.”

“These promising outcomes stand as a clear testament to the tireless and coordinated efforts of the PNP. Contrary to popular narratives, the statistics undeniably demonstrate a noteworthy decline in the overall crime rate during the 10 months of 2023,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

“This success reflects the PNP’s commitment to ‘Serbisyong Nagkakaisa’ and our unwavering vow to decisively suppress criminal activities, ensuring the safety and security of our communities,” he added.

In response to the rising threat of cybercrimes, the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group conducted operations to rescue 4,096 victims and arrest of 732 individuals.

The PNP added that its campaign against carnapping involved a total of 482,963 operations, which resulted in the recovery of 973 vehicles. These are 245 four-wheeled motor vehicles (cars, vans) and 728 motorcycles.

The recovery efficiency was 71.76 percent, with 972 suspects arrested and 542 cases filed in court.

The PNP also reported 341 wanted persons “voluntarily surrendered,” and 63,486 suspects were arrested.

Loose firearms

In the campaign against loose firearms, a total of 7,914 individuals were arrested, while 25,174 firearms were recovered, surrendered, or confiscated for violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

An additional 15,191 firearms were voluntarily turned in for safekeeping, and 5,049 cases were filed in court.

In its campaign against illegal drugs, the PNP said it conducted a total of 37,801 operations, which led to the arrest of 48,454 suspects and the seizure of drugs with an estimated street value of P9.7 billion.