A 23.73 percent reduction in Metro Manila’s index crime rate was recorded by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) from November 2024 up to the second week of January this year compared to the same period in 2023, the NCRPO reported on Friday.

According to NCRPO director, Brigadier General Anthony A. Aberin, the consistent decline in crime incidents in the metropolis was brought about by several factors, particularly the intensified police presence in the streets and areas of convergence, the comprehensive and balanced deployment of personnel during major events and the putting up of a police force that can be “truly seen, heard and felt” by the community.

The official likewise said their aggressive and relentless campaign against all forms of criminality is also a decisive factor in keeping the peace in Metro Manila.

He said that in their intensified “war on drugs” alone, they have seized P153,293,391.60 worth of shabu and other illegal drugs during the period.

In the intensified campaign against illegal gambling, 1,518 NCRPO operations from November 23, 2024, to January 15 this year resulted in the arrest of 3,806 suspects and the confiscation of P928,071.50 in bet money.

All 3,086 suspects are now in jail facing charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.

Aberin said their campaign against illegal firearms also saw significant progress, with 352 individuals arrested and 364 firearms confiscated.

The arrested suspects are now facing criminal charges for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. \

“These efforts reflect NCRPO’s proactive measures to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and ensure public safety ahead of the May 12 National and Local Elections,” he said.

Aberin said the campaign against wanted persons during the period also netted 976 most wanted persons and 1,190 other wanted persons or a total of 2,166 lawbreakers, who have been ordered arrested by different regional trial courts, many of them facing non-bailable heinous crimes.

The official also said that another crucial factor in the reduced crime incidents in Metro Manila is their focus on the enforcement of the local ordinance which has already resulted in the apprehension of 349,465 violators since last November.

This operational milestone reflects a continuing improvement of NCRPO’s operational efficiency and is the calculate result of the Able, Active and Allied policing implemented under Aberin’s leadership, officials said.

“NCRPO shall consider these initial operational milestones as our motivation to remain committed in performing our mandate of keeping the peace in Metro Manila. With the help of a responsive community, we shall continue with our “back to basics” approach in crime prevention and solution, while fully embracing innovations in law enforcement,” the Metro Manila police director said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon