Focus crimes in Metro Manila decreased by 18.7 percent from Aug. 9 to 16, with murder and carnapping cases registering the highest drop, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) disclosed on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Focus crimes refer to crimes against person which are murder, homicide, rape and physical injury; and, crimes against property which are robbery, theft, carnapping and motorcycle theft.
NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin attributed the crime decline to police visibility and quick response through strategic deployment, and preventive measures like aggressive anti-crime operations especially against fugitives.
From Aug. 9 to 16 for instance, Aberin said they were able to arrest 358 people, including 138 in the NCRPO’s Most Wanted Persons (MWP) list and 220 people listed in Other Wanted Persons (OWP).
The highest daily record, according to Aberin, was set on August 14 with 70 arrests in a single day— 101 by the QC Police District, 79 by the Southern Police District, 63 by the Eastern Police District, 60 by the Northern Police District and 55 by the Manila Police District.
For the 8 Focus Crimes, Metro Manila posted 113 cases, down 26 cases or 18.71 percent compared to the 139 incidents recorded in the same period last year.
The breakdown showed Murder dropped from 12 to 5 cases (−58.33 percent), Homicide from 4 to 2 (−50 percent), Rape from 20 to 14 (−30 percent), Physical Injuries from 9 to 8 (−11.11 percent), Carnapping of Motor Vehicles from 4 to 0 (−100 percent), and Carnapping of Motorcycles from 8 to 4 (−50 percent).
Robbery remained steady at 15 cases, while Theft slightly reduced from 67 to 65 cases (−2.99 percent).
In the anti-illegal drugs campaign, a total of 299 people were arrested while P9.5 million worth of illegal drugs were seized.
On the other hand, a total of 503 people were collared in a weeklong anti-illegal gambling operations.
“With these accomplishments, the NCRPO shows its clear direction in pursuing lawbreakers, curbing crime, dismantling illegal operations, removing loose firearms, and instilling discipline in communities,” said Aberin.