Homicide cases in the country rose by almost 22 percent in the entire month of April this year, with the Philippine National Police (PNP) attributing it to the easing of restrictions in some regions.
Based on the data of the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), a total of 95 homicide cases were reported in April compared to 78 in March—which represents 21.8 percent increase.
DIDM director Brig. Gen. Sterling Blanco said the increase in homicide cases were recorded in Central Luzon, Bicol, Central Visayas and Central Mindanao.
“Majority of these cases are shooting and stabbing incidents in residential areas. The motive are usually heated arguments or personal grudges,” said Blanco.
Blanco, however, said that murder cases went from 100 cases in March to 91 in April. He said rape cases also went down by almost 15 percent, or from 88 cases in March to 75 in April.
On the other hand, cases of theft went down by 20.11 percent, or from 179 cases in March to to 143 in April.