By Aaron Recuenco
Crime incidents in Metro Manila are down by almost 70 percent due to strict home quarantine procedures amid the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Based on the data released by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the comparison was between March 15 to 20 this year when the community quarantine (CQ) and enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) were implemented, and of the same period last year.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
CQ in Metro Manila was implemented on March 15, and two days later, ECQ with an expanded coverage over Luzon.
In Central Luzon, the decline was higher at 77.3 percent as the regional police only recorded 17 incidents from March 17 (the start of the ECQ) to March 21.
PNP Spokesman Brig Gen. Bernard Banac said that decrease was noted in the eight focused crimes—murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping of motorcycles and carnapping of cars.
Seven cases of murder were reported in Metro Manila from March 15-20, while there were two homicide cases. There were 10 and three cases in the same period last year.
For physical injuries, there were cases of 11 reported compared to 41 last year and five cases of rape compared to 23 last year. A total of 18 robbery cases and 24 cases of theft were reported this year compared to 50 and 68 last year, respectively.
For carnapping of motorcycles, five cases were reported this year and one case of carnapping of car. There were 12 and four cases last year, respectively.
There were no data submitted by the rest of the region in Luzon.
Banac attributed the decrease to the strict home quarantine procedures wherein almost all people are compelled to stay at their houses to prevent the spread of COVID-19.