Index crimes in Metro Manila went down by 23.63 percent from January 1 to April 4 this year compared to the same period last year, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Monday, April 7.

Index crimes involve crimes against persons such as murder, homicide, physical injury and rape, and crimes against property such as robbery, theft, carnapping of motor vehicles and motorcycle theft.

NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin attributed the decrease to what he described as strategic policing initiatives which includes enhancing personnel's capabilities, intensifying proactive policing efforts, and cultivating stronger partnerships within the community.

“These focused efforts are now yielding tangible results in the fight against crime. This considerable reduction underscores the impact of an Able police force – one that is increasingly skilled, better resourced, and more adept at rapid and effective crime response,” said Aberin.

Based on the NCRPO data, a total of 1,305 index crimes were recorded in the first 93 days of 2025 compared to 1,710 incidents in 2024.

The NCRPO's overall Crime Clearance Efficiency (CCE) also surged to 99.78 percent while the Crime Solution Efficiency (CSE) has also improved to 95.88 percent.

Aberin stressed that the solution efficiency specifically for index crimes has risen from 68.77 percent to 72.03 percent, which he said, could be attributed to the success of targeted operations and intelligence-led policing strategies.

He said such metrics demonstrate enhanced case management and more efficient investigative processes.

“With the consistent decline of crime occurrence in Metro Manila, my instruction to unit commanders is to ensure that the reduction of crime should translate to the safety and security of our constituents,” said Aberin.

More arrests

Aberin also disclosed that the NCRPO was able to account for a total of 4,397 wanted individuals across the region from January 1 to April 4 this year.

Out of the arrested wanted persons, Aberin said 1,764 of them were classified as Most Wanted Persons (MWPs) while 2,633 others are on the Other Wanted Persons (OWPs( list.

He said three of those arrested are also classified as high-profile fugitives with standing rewards.

"Our intensified efforts send a clear message: no fugitive, regardless of their status, will evade the law. With each arrest, we fortify the safety of Metro Manila and reaffirm that criminality has no foothold on our streets,” said Aberin.

Misinformation

Earlier, national police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil called out the proliferation of social media content allegedly aimed at conditioning the mind of the people that the streets are not safe.

Marbil said that despite a 26.76 percent nationwide decrease in crime since Jan. 1, concerns over safety remain prevalent due to a trend that he attributed in part to the widespread dissemination of crime-related content on social media and other platforms.

“While law enforcement agencies have made significant strides in crime prevention and resolution, the way incidents are reported and shared can sometimes create a heightened sense of insecurity,” said Marbil.

"Crime data shows that incidents have declined, yet the visibility of certain cases—especially on social media—can give the impression that crime is worsening. This is a reality we must acknowledge and address through proactive communication and responsible information-sharing,” he added.

Marbil then directed all police units to enhance their engagement with communities and increase awareness of their crime prevention and law enforcement efforts.

He encouraged police officers to proactively share positive developments—such as successful operations and public safety initiatives—alongside crime reports to provide a more comprehensive picture of the country’s security landscape.