INDEX crimes in the country went down by 31.13% from December 1 to last Christmas Day compared to the same period in 2021 amid the stepped-up anti-criminality patrols of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the full cooperation of a vigilant community, PNP Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. said on Tuesday.

“It is with joy to mention that the past ten days ushering Christmas Day had (generally been) peaceful throughout the country with no major untoward incident reported by Police Regional Offices (PROs),” the top cop added.

According to the PNP chief, this encompasses the entire period of the nine-day “Simbang Gabi” or the Novena masses that were similarly “peaceful and orderly” under the watchful presence of police patrollers.

From the first hour of December 16th until 6 a.m. of Christmas Day, December 25th, the PNP Command Center reported “zero casualties” from firecrackers or stray bullet incidents in all 17 regional jurisdictions.

In general, Azurin said that index crimes, or the major ones punishable under the Revised Penal Code, went down by 31.13% or 926 from 2,975 from December 1-25, 2021, compared to 2,049 for the same period in 2022.

Index crimes decreased in Luzon by 30.11% (513); Visayas by 29.49% (189); and Mindanao by 35.56% (224).

Azurin said their continuing police operations during the period led to the arrest of 17 persons for the illegal sale of firecrackers online.

He said that the PNPs deployment of 85% of personnel to the different transportation hubs, seaports, airports, business establishments, and other places of convergence resulted in the peaceful means of people’s celebration of Christmas.

Notable also is the strong collaboration and coordination among concerned government agencies and support of the community, which once again proved its effectiveness in thwarting criminal activities.

“To all PNP personnel, I commend you for the relentless effort in maintaining peace and order during this yuletide season. May all these efforts be sustained until the celebration of the coming year, 2023,” Azurin said.

“Sa mga kababayan natin, patuloy po ang panawagan namin na iwasan po natin ang gumamit ng mga ilegal na paputok para maging ligtas ang ating bagong taon,” he added.

Azurin said that in line with this, they are also working in cooperation with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Department of Health (DOH), and other partner agencies to help decrease, if not eliminate, the number of damaged properties and victims of firecrackers-related incidents this New Year celebration.

“To our Police Officers, I am once again reminding you that administrative sanctions will be filed against those who will be caught in unofficial use or firing their firearms indiscriminately. Hence, as PNP members, we should live with our mandate: to protect and save lives at all times,” he said.

“To all other gun holders, be responsible owners and do not fire your guns indiscriminately, for the law will be swift to go after you. Let us welcome the new year safely and peacefully,” the PNP chief added.