PNP: Total crime volume down in 2018

MANILA, Philippines — The number of crimes in the country went down by at least nine percent last year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced yesterday.

PNP records showed a total of 473,068 crimes were recorded in 2018. The figure was 9.13 percent lower compared to 520,641 crimes posted in 2017.

The eight focus crimes ­– murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carjacking of four-wheeled vehicles and motorcycles – went down by 28.14 percent, from 107,254 cases in 2017 to 77,068 last year.

Robbery cases registered the highest drop with 32.38 percent, from 16,076 to 10,870. Theft incidents decreased by 31.49 percent, from 34,435 to 23,590.

Murder cases dropped by 22.20 percent, from 8,826 to 6,866. Homicide cases posted a 17.01 percent decrease from 2,592 to 2,151.

Cases of physical injuries went down by 29.95 percent, from 30,691 to 21,498.

Among the localities across the country, Quezon City recorded the highest number with a total crime volume of 41,152.

But the PNP said 36,707 or 89.19 percent of the incidents were non-index crimes such as vehicular accidents and violations of local laws.

Manila ranked second with 21,386 crimes followed by Cebu City with 12,130, the PNP said.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac attributed the decrease in the crime rate to the Duterte administration’s efforts to go hard on crime rings.

President Duterte has launched a crackdown on illegal drugs and other crimes since he assumed office in 2016.

“The intensified law enforcement operations and the drug war have  direct bearing on the decrease in the total crime volume nationwide,” Banac said.

He cited a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations, which showed that the number of drug users have decreased, resulting in fewer drug-related crimes.

The PNP will continue to further bring down the number of crimes in the country, Banac said.

“We assure the public that the PNP will continue to vigorously enforce the law, pursue the campaign against drugs and prevent crimes with respect for human rights and value of life,” he said.

Banac appealed to the people to remain vigilant and report any illegal activity in their communities.