Recorded crime in the country decreased in the first six months of the year, according to the Philippine National Police.
Based on PNP data, from January to June, index crimes decreased by 10.14 percent or equal to 18,660 incidents. This is lower compared to the 20,765 incidents reported during the same period last year.
The index crimes include 8 focus crimes which are theft, rape, physical injury, murder, carnapping of a motorcycle, carnapping of a motor vehicle, robbery and homicide.
Although most focus crimes decreased, robbery slightly increased by 6.86 percent.
Recorded 2,601 robbery incidents in the first six months of the year, higher than the 2,434 recorded in 2022.
The incidence of homicide also increased by 2.74 percent.
525 homicide incidents were recorded in the first six months of the year, higher than the 511 recorded last year during the same period.
According to PNP Spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, in their study, robbery cases began to increase when the situation gradually returned to normal since the pandemic because thieves also intensified their modus operandi.
“Pagkatapos ng pandemic, bumalik din yung komersyo at alam din natin yung ganitong pagtaas ng commercilal activites ay ‘yan din ‘yung hudyat para ‘yung ibang kriminal paigtingin naman yung criminal intent,” said Fajardo.
Index crime rate slightly decreased from January to June: PNP
“Base sa inilibas na datos ng DIDM, nakita natin yan na karamihan sa robbery ay nangyayari sa commercial establishments. So ang effort natin ngayon nag nakikipag-ugnayan tayo sa security managers nitong mga commercial establishments para matulungan tayo,” he added.
“Malaking bagay kung makakapaglagay sila ng mga CCTV cameras doon sa mga establishments nila, yung paglalagay ng mga security personnel.”
On the other hand, the PNP said that disputes are the common root of most recorded homicide incidents.
The PNP admitted that some of the suspects involved in what they call heinous crimes are under the influence of illegal drugs.
“May mga ilan insidente na particularly ‘yung mga tinatawag natin na mga heinous crimes ay may mangilan-ngilan tayong nakikita na yung ibang mga suspect doon ay lango sa ipinagbabawal na droga,” said Fajardo.
The PNP will continue intensifying their enhanced managing operations, especially in crime-prone areas. The PNP also calls on the public for help and cooperation to lower crime in the country.
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