The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recorded a significant drop in index crime volume during its first 21 months, the Palace reported on Friday.
Citing a report by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary and National Peace and Order Council chairperson Benjamin Abalos Jr. during a meeting in Malacañang in Manila, the PCO said the country's index crime volume decreased by 63.59 percent -- from 196,519 between July 1, 2016 and April 21, 2018 to 71,544 between July 1, 2022 and April 21, 2024.
The report also indicated a decline in the average monthly crime rate for the same periods from 21.92 to 15.04.
Focus crimes such as theft, physical injury, robbery, rape, murder, carnapping and homicide decreased from 196,420 to 71,133 or 63.79 percent decrease.
Non-index crime volume, on the other hand, fell from 345,398 from July 1, 2016 to April 21, 2018 to 300,257 from July 1, 2022 to April 21, 2024.
Index crimes are crimes against persons and property, while non-index crimes are other illegal acts that violate special laws or local ordinances.
From Jan. 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, the Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded a total crime clearance efficiency of 98.88 percent and a total crime solution efficiency of 82.69 percent.
The total crime clearance and solution efficiency figures are 0.32 percent and 0.62 percent higher than the efficiency reports recorded from October 2021 to December 2022.
In terms of the index crime volume, the PNP recorded 48,587 cases from January 2023 to March 2024, which is 4,240 or 8.02 percent lower than the 52,827 cases recorded from October 2021 to December 2022.
The non-index crime, on the other hand, was recorded at 202,377 from January 2023 to March 2024, which is 11,546 or 5.37 percent lower than the 214,923 recorded cases from October 2021 to December 2022.
Abalos cited sustained crime prevention programs, public safety initiatives and convergent efforts of the DILG and the PNP to prevent crimes and protect the citizenry.
‘Build trust, be part of the community’
On Thursday, the President urged the police to immerse themselves in the community to foster better engagement and improve the trust of the public in law enforcers.
Marcos issued the call during the first Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Malacañang.
The President, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), emphasized the importance for the police to make their presence felt on the ground, urging them to “be on the beat, to know the people, and to understand what’s happening.”
“Despite all of the other things hanggang satellite, hanggang cyber – siyempre ginagamit natin lahat ‘yan pero puno’t dulo pa rin eh kailangan talaga you have to be part of the community. And that’s the only time (we are) truly effective is when the community trusts our policemen,” he said, as quoted by the PCO.
Among the key national security concerns discussed in the meeting were geopolitical issues, the West Philippine Sea and other territorial disputes, communist terrorist groups, and the drug war.
In a social media post, Marcos cited the gains in the government’s campaign against drugs and insurgency.
“The integration of 67 former rebels through E-CLIP (Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program) in Surigao del Sur and strides in our anti-illegal drug campaign show our progress for peace,” he said.
“We're enhancing local government coordination, drug monitoring, expediting cybersecurity laws, and establishing a cyber fusion center for a secure Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) where every Filipino thrives.”
Latest PNP reshuffle
Four ranking police officials have been included in the latest reorganization of the PNP.
Based on PNP chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil's order dated April 25, which took effect on the same date, PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) Director Major General Sidney
Hernia will now be the director of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management, replacing Major General Belli Tamayo, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 last April 18.
In a separate order, Brig. Gen. Ronnie Francis Cariaga will head the ACG in place of Hernia, while Brig. Gen. Aligre Martinez will be the acting director of the Police Regional Office 11 (Davao) replacing Brig. Gen Alden Delvo.
Meanwhile, Col. Aden Lagradante will be the officer in charge of the PNP Command Center under the Directorate for Operations.
The order took effect Friday. PNA