Stats won’t lie: Less crimes, less blood in streets
I hope that statistics really won’t lie as it says that major crimes are down in the entire country with less shots being fired by the police force during the 1st two-years of PBBM administration compared to the same period under FPRRD’s presidency which was marred by charges of extra-judicial killings and abuses by law enforcement authorities.
This as the PNP headed by General Rommel Marbil issued a statement to refute FPRRD’s claim during a Senate hearing on Monday that crime remains rampant in the Philippines earning the aging Davao City firebrand a rebuke from Malacañang Palace, the Department of Justice and the PNP.
Official records showed that from July 1, 2022, to July 28, 2024, the PNP noted a remarkable 61.87 percent decrease in total index crimes, with 217,830 reported incidents during the same period of 2016 to 2018 to just 83,059.
PNP spokesperson, Brigadier Gen. Jean Fajardo explained that this significant downward trend spans various categories of crime and added that notably, crimes against persons, including murder, homicide, physical injuries, and rape, decreased by 55.69 percent.
The PNP official said they also recorded reductions of 11,641 in murders, 2,420 in homicides, 2,719 in rape incidents, and a notable decrease of 34,966 in physical injuries during the period in review.
Likewise, she declared that crimes against property, such as robbery, theft, and carnapping, registered a significant decline of 66.81 percent, with reported cases dropping from 124,799 to 41,420 during the same comparative periods.
In addition to the reduction in crime volume, Brig. Gen. Fajardo said the PNP has made significant strides in operational efficiency, evidenced by a 27.13 percent increase in the Crime Clearance Efficiency rate and a 10.28 percent rise in the Crime Solution Efficiency rate.
The official PNP crime statistics were released as FPRRD claimed that crimes are literally back as drugs has also returned. In short, the former president wants to tell everybody that his administration had successfully eliminated illegal drugs and as a result, reduced criminality in the streets.
It should also be noted that then DILG Secretary, now National Security Adviser Ed Año in February 2022 disclosed that the crime rate dropped by 73.76 percent from 2016 to 2021 and noted significant drops in 2020 and 2021. However, the former Armed Forces chief did not mention if the COVID-19 lockdowns and public fear of the killer virus contributed to the reduced crime rate.
PBBM however emphasized that he will continue the crackdown on illegal drugs in ‘his own way’ to protect the youth’ and added that ‘extermination was never one of them’ as his government, thru the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency headed by Director General Moro Lazo, is focusing more on prevention and rehabilitation.
Amid the recalibrated ‘bloodless war on drugs’ by the Marcos Jr. administration, the PNP says the decrease in crime volume during the past two-years ‘reflect our commitment to swiftly resolving cases and delivering justice to victims, thereby fostering public trust in our law enforcement efforts.’
Brig. Gen. Fajardo said that furthermore, the PNP’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs has yielded remarkable results. She said that during the first 2-years of the PBBM administration, the PNP seized some P35.6 billion worth of illegal drugs, majority of them shabu and arrested 122,309 persons who are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
“These accomplishments highlight the effectiveness of our strategies and reinforce our dedication to combating the illegal drug trade,” the PNP spokesperson said as she also highlighted the PNP’s strict adherence to the rule of law and protection of human rights under the Marcos Jr. administration.
“The PNP remains steadfast in upholding justice, accountability, and respect for human life. We continue to implement a balanced approach to law enforcement that combines effective crime prevention with a strong commitment to protecting human rights. Our priority is public safety while ensuring that the dignity of every individual is respected and upheld,” she said.
“As we move forward, the PNP stands united with the nation in building safer and more secure communities. Through collaboration with all sectors of society, we are dedicated to fulfilling our mission to serve and protect,” Brig. Gen. Fajardo added.
The PNP released the statement as it reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and order across the country. Fajardo even said that “our latest data indicates a substantial decline in crime rates, underscoring the effectiveness of our ongoing strategies and proactive measures.”
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla both rejected Duterte’s claim before the Senate that crime remains rampant in the Philippines.
“With due respect to former President Rodrigo Duterte, there is no truth to his statement that crime remains rampant in the country,” Bersamin said. “Statistics from the Philippine National Police (PNP) shows the complete opposite. There has been a widespread decline in crime across the board,” he added.
ES Bersamin also noted that the Marcos administration has achieved “stability and maintained peace and order” in the country without compromising due process nor setting aside the basic human rights of any Filipino.
“All of this shows that our country is safer, our people more secure, and our future more assured than ever before under the stewardship of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” he added.
Sec. Remulla also made a similar statement.
“In light of these verified statistics, the Department of Justice categorically dismisses the statement made by former President Duterte as anecdotal and lacking empirical support,” he said.
“With utmost respect for former President Duterte’s leadership, we believe that his perception of an escalating crime rate does not reflect the reality supported by concrete data, The peace and order situation remains a top priority for the Marcos administration, and we are committed to assuring the Filipino people that our nation is on a path toward greater stability and security,” the DOJ chief said.