THE Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar has noted a significant reduction in eight focus crimes in the country from January to June this year compared to the same period in 2020, the Journal Group learned.

Gen. Eleazar said that one of the most significant result of their campaign against criminality is the impact on Crime Volume particularly on the Eight Focus Crimes which include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft and motor vehicle and motorcycle theft.

Official PNP records showed that from January to June, 2020, there were a total of 21,716 Eight Focus Crimes recorded nationwide although the number from January to June this year was pegged at only 18,113 which is 3,603 incidents less compared to last year’s figures or a 16.59 percent reduction.

Overall, the PNP recorded a total of 193,103 crime incidents from January to June this year compared to the 197,903 total crimes registered during the same period in 2020 or a reduction of 4,804 cases or 2.43 percent.

The Average Monthly Index Crime Rate during the 2020 period was 19.14 compared to the average 18.04 AMICR this year or a 5.75 percent reduction.

Gen. Eleazar credited the significant reduction in major crimes nationwide to the PNP’s relentless effort to maintain peace and order amid the pandemic brought about by the COVID-19 virus and in providing full assistance to the government in delivering much-needed services by the public.

The following are the comparative figures in the 1st semester of 2020 and 2021:

Murder—2,633 to 2,555 or a 2.96 percent reduction; Homicide—673 to 535 or a 20.51 percent reduction; Physical Injury-4,040 to 2,541 or a 37.10 percent reduction; Rape—4,192 to 3,478 or a 17.03 percent reduction; Robbery—2,786 to 2,372 or a 14.86 percent reduction; Theft-6,145 to 5,506 or a 10.40 percent reduction; Motor Vehicle Theft-143 to 127 or an 11.19 percent reduction; and Motorcycle Theft—1,104 to 999 or a 9.51 percent reduction.

The PNP in particular noted a very significant reduction in cases of physical injuries, homicide, rape, robbery and motor vehicle theft during the 1st six months of the year.

The reductions in the eight focus crimes, according to Gen. Eleazar were sustained with the intensified police presence across the country and focused law enforcement operations and other police interventions that led to the arrest of lawless elements that prevented them from committing more crimes while in the lam.

He also attributed the major crime reduction to their intensified ‘war on drugs’ which saw the arrest of 38,273 known drug personalities and the seizure of more than P2.6 billion worth of shabu during the period. Another 698 drug personalities likewise surrendered to the police during the period.

The Total Crime Incidents in Luzon and Visayas also went down by 6.37 percent and 10.97 percent respectively although there was a 22.71 percent increase noted in Mindanao.

The Peace and Order Indicator likewise went down by 7,274 or 5.77 percent from 162,172 in 2020 compared to the 118,898 this year.

However, the POI went up in Mindanao by 28.61 percent.

A total of 118,898 PO1s were recorded from January to June this year although they comprise largely of Non-Index Crimes with 100,677 or 84.68 percent and Index Crimes with 18,221 or 15.32 percent.

Non-Index Crimes include both violation of Special Laws and the Revised Penal Code other than Index Crimes and Frustrated and Attempted States of Focus Crimes. On the other hand, Index Crimes comprise both Focus Crimes and Eight Special Complex Crimes.