PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. on Monday said they have noted a decline of all major crimes during the first six weeks of the year.

According to the PNP chief, they have noted a 27.63 percent reduction in the number of index crimes this year, or 1,239 cases less compared to the first 6 weeks of 2023.

There were a total of 3,246 index crimes 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.

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 crime suspects have been hauled to jail while 54 surrendered.

Gen. Acorda said 856 persons have been arrested in the wake of the campaign to account for all loose firearms.

A total of 3,681 illegal guns have already been recovered, were surrendered or confiscated or were placed under police safekeeping during the period.

He also said that amid their effort to preserve digital security, the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group during the period served 29 warrants of arrest and conducted 15 entrapments.

Prevalent cyber crimes investigated 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