Marbil orders stepped up drive vs PAGs ahead of May polls
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil has ordered all PNP units nationwide to further intensify their campaign against Private Armed Groups (PAGs) and proliferation of loose firearms ahead of the May 12 national and local elections.
The top cop’s directive is designed to bolster public safety and mitigate potential violence, thereby promoting a peaceful democratic process, the Journal Group was told.
“Our intensified campaign against private armed groups and loose firearms underscores our commitment to provide a safe environment for every Filipino, especially as we approach the election period. The PNP is resolute in its mission to dismantle these groups and eliminate threats to peace,” the PNP chief emphasized.
The campaign against PAGs saw notable progress in 2024 with the number of active PAGs reduced from six in 2023 to only three last year following the disbandment of the Kunti Melo Group in Bukidnon and the Bal and Mayo Groups in Nueva Ecija.
Furthermore, potential PAGs have dropped from 28 to just five due to ongoing operations that have led to the delisting of 33 groups following arrests and surrenders.
“By aggressively targeting private armed groups and the illegal firearms they use, we are dismantling their capacity for violence and intimidation. The PNP remains committed to safeguarding the democratic process and ensuring a secure Philippines for all,” Gen. Marbil stated.
From January 1 to November 30, 2024, the PNP reported significant achievements in the crackdown against loose firearms, arresting 8,628 individuals for violations of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.
During the period, a total of 25,240 firearms were either confiscated, recovered, or surrendered, with an additional 9,932 firearms turned over for safekeeping.
The highest number of arrests for firearms law violations were recorded in the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headed by Brigadier Gen. Anthony A. Aberin with 2,033 arrests, followed by Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3) in Central Luzon under Brig. Gen. Redrico A. Maranan with 979 and the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO 7) in Central Visayas with 906.
In terms of confiscated or surrendered firearms, PRO 7 led with 3,951 cases, followed by the PRO6 in Western Visayas with 3,023 and the NCRPO with 2,175.
Meanwhile, the PRO 4-A in Calabarzon region headed by Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth T. Lucas recorded the highest number of firearms turned over for safekeeping at 2,797.
The top cop urged the public to support the PNP’s initiatives and maintain vigilance during this crucial period, reaffirming the organization’s dedication to strategic actions that uphold peace and order leading up to the elections.
The country’s total crime volume significantly went down by more than eight percent this year compared to the 2023 figures amid the PNP’s resolve to fully maintain peace and order nationwide, the Journal Group learned.
In a report to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ C. Remulla, the top cop said that the Peace and Order Indicator (POI) shows a significant reduction in the number of crimes in 2024 with 183,467 incidents recorded compared to the 190,771 cases in 2023.
“This reduction of 3.83 percent fairly indicates an overall improvement in the peace and order situation compared to the previous year,” Gen. Marbil said.
The PNP chief said that the POI is comprised of 81.01 percent Non-Index Crimes and 18.99 percent Index Crimes during the current period.
He explained that the Index Crime Volume from January 1 to November 30, 2024 showed a reduction of 3,563 incidents from 38,404 cases in the same period in 2023 to 34,841 this year or a 9.28 percent decrease.
Gen. Marbil said that major contributory factors to the decrease in index crimes is the decline in the number of theft incidents at 2.80 percent and robbery cases at 14.46 percent, all of which were attributed to the downloading of PNP personnel from the headquarters to police stations to boos police presence in the streets.
He also attributed the 26.99 percent decrease in rape cases to the proactive Gender-Based Violence Prevention Programs and advocacies of the PNP including a massive public awareness campaign and distribution in Information/Education Materials; infomercials on the PNP Women and Children Protection Center’s Facebook Page and the continuous PNP capacity-building program for their personnel.
“Overall, the decrease in crimes in the POI including the comparative reduction of cybercrime incidents manifests and improved peace and order situation and exhibits efficiency in the PNP’s crime prevention efforts,” Gen. Marbil said.
