Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday, April 28, said crime in the country has dropped by 50 percent under the government’s Safer Cities Initiative, launched earlier this month.

Speaking during the inauguration of fire facilities and meetings with local officials in Catanduanes, Remulla said the trend is observed in both urban and rural areas.

“Bumagsak ang krimen by 50 percent sa buong Pilipinas. Hindi lang po sa mga kilalang siyudad, sa malalaking siyudad sa buong Pilipinas (Crime has dropped by 50 percent across the Philippines. Not only in well-known cities, but in major cities across the country),” Remulla said.

He attributed the decrease in criminality to the sustained peace and order, which depends on law enforcement and cooperation between barangays, police, and local governments.

“Peace and order is possible by the positive application of the law, the cooperation of the barangay and the police. It is possible to have a more peaceful community without killing anyone,” he said.

The initiative includes preventive measures such as curfews for minors, regulation of late-night activities, and increased police visibility in public spaces.

“We must take back the streets. We must take back our communities. We must promote peace and order. It is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.

Remulla explained that the Safer Cities approach builds on gains in crime reduction while shifting focus to visibility and public confidence during its launch on April 6.