The Philippine National Police reported a 6.69-percent decline in the number of crimes from 24 April to 30 July this year, according to the latest report of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management’s Crime Research Analysis Center.
The report showed that the overall Peace and Order Indicator saw a decline of 3,737 crime incidents, from 55,900 for the same period in 2022 to 52,163 in 2023.
Luzon and Mindanao experienced the most significant declines in crime rates, with decreases of 10.51 percent and 9.51 percent, respectively.
In contrast, the Visayas saw an increase of 8.42 percent in reported incidents.
PNP chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., said the decrease in the crime rates is a positive indication of the efforts of the PNP to maintain peace and order throughout the nation.
“The significant reduction in the crime rates for the period reflects the hard work and dedication of our police officers in ensuring the safety and security of our communities,” Acorda said.
“We will continue to implement proactive measures to combat criminal activities and provide a safe environment for all citizens,” he added.
The report also analyzed the specific types of crimes, with the Index Crime Volume showing a decline of 17.26 percent.
The so-called Focus Crimes, which include murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, rape, carnapping, and other violent offenses, also decreased by 17.11 percent.
In addition, the Non-Index Crime Volume saw a 3.97-percent decrease.
While the overall national trend indicated a decrease in crime rates, the report provided a regional breakdown that showed Luzon experienced a notable decrease in crime by 17.80 percent, followed by the Visayas with a 19.17-percent reduction, and Mindanao with a 13.18-percent decrease.
When examining the top three most prevalent index crimes, the data revealed significant changes.
From April to July 2022, theft topped the list with 3,708 incidents, followed by rape with 2,702, and physical injury with 1,515.
In 2023, theft remained the most prevalent with 3,259 incidents, while rape decreased to 1,834, and robbery replaced physical injury with 1,197 incidents.
Acorda emphasized the importance of addressing specific crimes and implementing targeted strategies to further reduce their occurrences.
The report also highlighted improvements in crime clearance and solution efficiency. The Peace and Order Index Indicator for Clearance Efficiency decreased by 1.87 percent, while Solution Efficiency increased by 1.28 percent.
“We are pleased to see that our clearance and solution efficiencies have improved, showing that our investigative efforts are yielding positive results,” the PNP chief said.
“As we continue to embrace technology and enhance our data-driven approach, we expect to see even better outcomes in the future,” he added.
He encouraged the public to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies to maintain the downward trend in crime rates.
Acorda assured that the PNP would sustain its commitment to creating a safer environment for all citizens.