THE Philippine National Police has not monitored any credible nor serious threats to peace and order this week leading to the Christmas and New Year celebrations, PNP spokesperson, Colonel Jean S. Fajardo said.

However, the official said that PNP chief, General Benjamin S. Acorda Jr. has ordered all police units across the country to maintain their vigilance and be proactive to deter any threats to peace and order.

“As of this time, wala pa tayong namomonitor na anumang serious and credible threat that would hamper the Christmas celebration for the whole holiday season,” said Col. Fajardo who also highlighted an almost 20 percent decrease in crimes during the start of the ‘Ber months.’

However, she said those records must not be taken as a guarantee that everybody, police and the citizenry included, cannot relax their guards saying there is no room for complacency here.

According to the official, Gen. Acorda has urged everybody to maintain their proactive stance to ensure public safety and security across the country.

Col. Fajardo said that in particular, police are fully watching the ‘Simbang-Gabi’ or dawn masses in all Catholic churches nationwide.

“So far, relatively peaceful naman po yung ating Simbang Gabi, wala po tayong naitala o naitatala na major significant incident that would somehow compromise yung ating security and safety po ng ating mga mangingimba. Inaasahan natin na magtutuloy-tuloy po yan,” Col. Fajardo said.

National Capital Region Police Office director, Major Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said that since last December 16, their maximum deployment has been bearing fruit with the ‘Simbang-Gabi’ in the metropolis generally peaceful so far.

The PNP has recorded a significant reduction in all major crimes in the country this year amid the stepped-up crackdown on drugs and other forms of criminality in the streets.

The focused law enforcement operations ordered by Gen. Acorda refers to the implementation and enforcement of applicable laws; aggressive operations against suspected terror groups and criminal gangs; manhunt operations against wanted persons; immediate resolution of cases specifically those involving firearms; and the conduct of Oplan Sita, Oplan Baka, Oplan Galugad, Oplan Katok, service of warrant of arrest and search warrants and other police interventions.

Official PNP records on Focus Crimes presented by Col. Fajardo showed that from September 1 to December 19, 2022 to September 1 to December 19, 2023, the number of crimes went down from 12,554 to 10,268 or a decrease of 2,286 incidents or 18.21 percent.

Col. Fajardo said that from January 1 to December 19, 2022, the number of focus crimes was pegged at 40,411. However, from January 1 to December 19 this year, the number of focus crimes went down to 37,089 or a difference of 3,322 or 8.22 percent.

A PNP Operational Accomplishment Report from January to November 2023 said that amid its commitment to ensure public safety amid threats posed by criminals, terrorists and other lawless elements, police conducted nearly 200,000 foot/beat patrol operations with 360,927,436 man-hours utilized.

On the other hand, mobile patrol operations during the period have a total of 9,737,064 with 120,902,744 man-hours utilized, said PNP Director for Operations, Major Gen. Leo M. Francisco.

The PNP-DO said that aggressive and honest police operations and police interventions also led in the arrest of lawless elements that helped reduce the number of crimes they may have committed if they remained free.

Records showed that more than 56,000 drug targets were arrested during the period while over P10 billion worth of shabu and other prohibited drugs were confiscated by the police.

The campaign against loose firearms likewise led in the arrest of nearly 9,000 suspects and the recovery of more than 28,000 loose firearms. The period also saw the arrest of over 1,500 criminal gang leaders and members as well as nearly 60,000 Wanted Persons and Other Wanted Persons nationwide.