MAJOR crimes in the country have gone down from January to date even as the Philippine National Police continued to register huge drug seizures since the start of the year, PNP chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. on Monday said.

The top cop said that the first week of May showcased the continuing decline in peace and order indicators or POIs particularly index crime which dropped by 10.59 percent from 15,064 in January to May 13, 2022, to 13,469 in 2023 of the same date.

He added that the Average Monthly Index Crime Rate also decreased by 8.51 percent from 13.87 in 2022 to 12.69 in 2023.

The PNP chief explained that focus crimes which include murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, rape, and carnapping of motor vehicles went down by 10.66 percent from 14,990 cases in 2022 to 13,392 cases in 2023.

Notably, he said that incidents of physical injury recorded the highest decrease of 25.68 percent from 2,142 incidents in 2022 to 1,592 cases in 2023.

“This continuing decrease of incidents is attributed to the consistent implementation of numerous policies, such as intensified police visibility, intelligence-driven operations, community-based programs, strengthened partnerships with other agencies, and improved crime reporting and monitoring systems,” said Gen. Acorda.

The PNP chief also said that police units nationwide continue operations against big-time drug pushers and street-level drug personalities.

He said that since last January, police agents have already seized some P5.68 billion worth of shabu and other prohibited drugs.

Anti-narcotics operations from January 1 to May 13 likewise led to the arrest of 22,826 drug offenders. Gen. Acorda said that the suspects arrested as a result of 17, 202 operations anti-drug searches, buy-bust operations and interdiction operations are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon