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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Number of arrests of criminals, not crime, should go up this Christmas, PNP commanders told

Number of arrests of criminals, not crime, should go up this Christmas, PNP commanders told

Published Nov 13, 2025 01:34 pm
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo: PNP)
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo: PNP)
It should be the number of arrests of criminal elements, and not criminal incidents, that must go up for the Christmas holiday season, acting national police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr reminded commanders.
He issued the statement as he tasked all police commanders to start reviewing and updating security preparations for Christmas and New Year revelries.
“Our goal is to dispute once again that criminal activities, especially those relating to robbery and theft, go up on the days leading to Christmas and New Year. This is part of our main objective of ensuring that Filipinos can enjoy a safe and peaceful Christmas, knowing fully well that we have the longest celebration in the world,” said Nartatez.
“Instead of cases of robbery, theft and other crimes going up, it should be the number of the arrests of criminals that must go up in order to prevent them from victimizing the people,” he added.
Nartatez said public perception about the increase of criminal activities during the Holiday season must be disputed through intensified anti-crime drive.
Part of the aggressive operations, according to Nartatez, are against wanted persons and fugitives as most of them are repeat offenders.
“Instead of the incidents in the past that it is the peace-loving and law-abiding Filipinos who are always wary of what criminal elements would do, the Christmas season must be a nightmare for violators of the law,” he said.
Nartatez’s order follows the successful and rapid arrest in Caloocan City on November 10 of two suspects linked to a series of fast-food chain robberies in Bulacan and Pampanga, just hours after the latest crime was committed in Bustos and Sta. Maria towns.
Authorities recovered a gray Toyota Avanza, two sets of license plates, a .38-caliber revolver, P23,000 in cash, and other items linked to the crimes.
Nartatez stressed the importance of adaptability in managing security during the festivities, adding that the PNP will review and make necessary adjustments to protocols, particularly in areas where crowds naturally gather.
“We will make the necessary adjustments in our security protocols, particularly in public areas and points of convergence, including malls, parks, terminals, and ports,” Nartatez said.
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