Crime incidents in Metro Manila dropped by 60 percent during the Holy Week compared to the same period last year, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Monday, April 21.

While the significant decrease is mainly attributed to the exodus of Metro Manila residents and workers to the provinces to take advantage of the long holiday break, crime incidents still happen in the past during Holy Week.

From 113 crimes recorded I the seven-day period of the Holy Week last year, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin said it went down to only 45 from April 14 to 20 this year.

The most substantial declines, according to Aberin, were observed in murder, rape, theft, and physical injuries.

For murder, the NCRPO recorded an 87.5 percent decrease, or from eight cases last year to only one this year; 77.7 percent decline in rape cases, or from 18 cases down to four; 66.67 percent drop in physical injuries, or from 12 cases down to four. The four are classified as crimes against a person.

For cases of theft, there was a decrease of 56.36 percent, or from 55 cases down to 24; while carnapping of motor vehicles and motorcycles both went down by 75 percent, or from four cases last year to only one this year.

The NCRPO has mobilized over 10,000 policemen to secure churches, transportation hubs and other places of convergence during the entire Holy Week period.

Aberin said the deployment, which is part of the security plan for Metro Manila, resulted in the peaceful observance of religious activity in the metropolis.

“The peaceful and secure observance of Semana Santa 2025 throughout Metro Manila is a product of a deliberate, calculate and tailor-fit security deployment as well as the cooperation of the public,” said Aberin.