PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. yesterday said they have noted a consistent decline in all major crimes in the country during the first six weeks of the year compared to the same period in 2022.

“Our crime situation has shown a consistent decline in comparative statistics for the period of January 1 to February 10, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2024, both in index crimes and focus crimes,” the top cop said.

According to the PNP chief, they have noted a 27.63 percent reduction in the number of index crimes so far this year, or 1,239 cases less compared to the first 6 weeks last year.

Records showed that there were a total of 3,246 index crimes recorded by the police force from January 1 to last week compared to the 4,485 incidents investigated by the PNP during the same period in 2022.

Gen. Acorda said they also noted a major reduction in the number of focus crimes or from 4,453 to 3,224 or a 27.60 percent decrease during the two comparative periods.

The PNP chief also revealed that their anti-criminality campaign during the period has also been remarkable.

“We have made significant progress in our relentless campaigns against various forms of criminal activities,” he said.

In the fight against illegal drugs, police during the period have arrested 5,972 drug targets and seized at least P456 million worth of shabu and other prohibited drugs.

In the campaign against wanted persons, 7,371 have been hauled to jail while 54 surrendered in the wake of the stepped-up police effort to account for Most Wanted Persons in the regional, city and municipal level.

Prevalent cybercrimes investigated by the police during the period were 479 cases of online scamming, 368 incidents of illegal access and 147 cases on online libel.

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Alfred P. Dalizon