Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso vowed to run after criminals and assured Manilenos that the Manila Police District (MPD) will continue to be relentless in pursuing criminals for the safety and security of city residents as the city recorded a decreasing crime rate.

Domagoso issued the statement during the MPD's first Command Conference for 2026 wherein MPD chief Brig. Gen. Arnold Abad reported a 13.08 percent decline in Manila's crime rate in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Abad said total crime incidents in Manila dropped from 2,110 in the third quarter to 1,834 in the fourth quarter of 2025.

"Index crimes declined from 291 to 239, while non-index crimes fell from 1,819 to 1,595 over the same period, according to the figures," Abad said.

The mayor attributed the decline to the sustained law enforcement efforts of the police and the policy of ensuring accountability for criminal acts in the city.

“As a matter of guarantee to the people of Manila, gusto nating pigilan lahat ng kriminal. May awa ang Diyos, gabayan nawa tayo. Pero ’pag halimbawa sila ay nakaligtas o nakatakas sa krimen na ginawa nila, we make sure that they’re going to be brought to justice, so that it creates certainty in the City of Manila. To the criminals, now you know, it’s not worth it to do crimes against property and person in the City of Manila while we are around (As a matter of guarantee to the people of Manila, we want to stop all criminals. May God have mercy, may He guide us. But for example, if they initially managed to escape from the crime they have committed, we will make sure that they are going to be brought to justice, so that it creates certainty in the City of Manila. To the criminals, now you know, it’s not worth it to do crimes against property and person in the City of Manila while we are around)," Domagoso said.

“Hahabulin natin sila kahit saan sila magtago at kahit gaano pa katagal. I really don’t care. Basta we bring justice to the victim (We will go after them wherever they go and no matter how long they hide. I really don't care. But we assure everyone that we will bring justice to the victim)," he stressed, adding that the public has commended the increase in police visibility and preparedness in Manila at any time of the day.

He also lauded the police's discipline during operations and emphasized restraint and adherence to due process.

“Ang gustong-gusto ko ’yung restraint. Nawawala ’yung gigil, naka-focus. Gawin lang ’yung trabaho. O kung nawala na ’yung birthday ng suspect, so be it. Pero hangga’t maaari, eh talagang kukunin natin sila ng buhay at ipadala sila sa husgado, at hayaan natin ang husgado ang magpasya kung sila ay may sala o wala (I really commend the police's restraint and sheer will and focus in pursuing these criminals and putting them behind bars. As much as possible, we want these wrongdoers to be caught alive and for them to face their crimes in court. Let's let the court decide if they are guilty or not)," the mayor explained.

Domagoso expressed his gratitude to the men and women of the MPD for their outstanding performance.

“I’m happy and I’m proud of each and every one of you,” he said, urging officers to remain focused and sustain the gains in crime reduction.