Metro crime rate down 18.7%

The crime volume in Metro Manila went down 18.77 percent during the first two months of the year, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said yesterday.

Metro police chief Director Avelino Razon Jr. credited the decrease in crime incidents in Metro Manila to the full support extended by various sectors of society to their police.

"The accomplishment cannot be done by police alone," Razon admitted as he thanked the business sector, transport groups, Muslim leaders and their communities, security agencies, barangay leaders and officials and other non-government organizations for the improved peace and order situation.

"It only shows that active community involvement and support to the police effort on crime prevention is a vital tool toward attaining our common quest for peaceful and orderly communities," he added.

Records from the NCRPO showed that the monthly crime incidents per 100,000 population for the first two months of the year dropped significantly compared to the figure registered last year.

The NCRPO said index crimes like murder, homicide, robbery, theft, physical injuries decreased by 7.22 percent, or from 1,562 incidents last year to 1,425 incidents during the same period this year.

The report stated that robbery incidents went down 43 percent, theft by 1.9 percent, and physical injuries 18.71 percent.

The significant accomplishment by the NCRPO was attributed to Razon’s priority programs like enhanced police visibility, deployment of police personnel along strategic areas within the metropolis like churches, shopping malls, commercial centers, LRT and MRT stations, bus terminals and other public places.

Razon called on the public to continue showering their police with their support.

"Peace and order is everybody’s business," he said. "Let us join hands in fighting crime." — Non Alquitran