PNP records 18.2% crime decline in this year's 'ber' months
You think crime volume is going up during "ber" months? Well, not anymore according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Citing its data, the PNP has recorded an 18.2 percent decrease in focus crimes across the country from Sept. 1 to Dec. 19 this year, a reverse of the usual perception that crime rate goes up during “ber” months.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injuries, theft, robbery and carnapping of motor vehicles.
Based on the PNP data, a total of 10,268 criminal incidents occurred from Sep. 1 to Dec. 19 this year compared to 12,554 cases recorded in the same period in 2022.
“The crime volume continues to go down, particularly in ber months and we remain confident that with the help of our force multipliers and other law enforcement agencies, we would be able to sustain this,” said Fajardo.
The same downward trend was recorded on cybercrimes, with the PNP recording 1,3311 in September this year compared to 1,322 in September last year; 1,280 in October this year compared to 1,418 in October last year; and, 1,254 in November this year from 1,494 in November last year.
For the first 19 days of December this year, the PNP recorded 496 this year compared to 1,364 last year.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr. earlier ordered all police commanders to implement the necessary security measures to protect the public from criminal elements fo the Yuletide season.
Fajardo said this was relayed during a command conference and all regional directors have been complying.
“We will not lower our guard. We will continue implement the necessary security measures for the safety and security of our kababayan,” said Fajardo.