Crime volume in the country has decreased by more than eight percent from January to October this year compared to the same period in 2022, with the Philippine National Police (PNP) attributing it to strategic anti-crime measures that include the accounting of wanted persons and the campaign against loose firearms.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr. said the 10-month data from the police’s Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) also revealed an overall 8.18 percent decline in focus crimes such as murder, robbery, theft, rape, physical injury, and carnapping.
“The report highlights a remarkable reduction in various crime indices. These astounding figures serve as undeniable proof of the effectiveness of the PNP's law enforcement initiatives,” said Acorda.
He said the comprehensive report, which stated an overall 8.24 percent drop in crime volume, not only focuses on the decline in various crime categories but also sheds light on the PNP's operational achievements throughout the period.
The statistics from CIRAS, he added, presented a series of successful operations, arrests, recovered assets, and cases filed, all attributing the decrease in crime rates to the PNP's proactive measures.
For instance, Acorda said the campaign against carnapping involved a total of 482,963 operations, leading to the recovery of 973 vehicles, including 245 motor vehicles and 728 motorcycles, and boasted a recovery efficiency of 71.76 percent.
On the other hand, 972 suspects were arrested, and 542 cases have been filed in court.
He also disclosed that the PNP’s campaign against wanted persons resulted in the voluntary surrender of 341 individuals, along with an impressive 63,486 arrests.
In the campaign against loose firearms, he said a total of 7,914 individuals were arrested, and 25,174 firearms were recovered, surrendered, or confiscated.
An additional 15,191 firearms were voluntarily turned in for safekeeping, and 5,049 cases were filed in court.
The campaign against illegal drugs witnessed 37,801 operations, leading to the arrest of 48,454 individuals and a significant seizure of illegal drugs estimated at P9,731,467,292.96.
And in response to the rising threat of cybercrime, he said the PNP's Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) has conducted operations that resulted in the arrest of 732 individuals and the rescue of 4,096 victims.
“The Philippine National Police (PNP) has effectively implemented a range of strategic actions that have yielded impressive results in curbing criminal activities. These actions, combined with the commendable operational achievements of the PNP, have demonstrated a consistent decline in criminal incidents,” said Acorda.