By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The nationwide crime rate dropped by 25.77 percent in May compared with the same period in 2025, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force recorded 2,149 focus crime incidents in May, down from 2,895 logged during the same period last year.
Focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motor vehicle theft, and motorcycle theft.
“Looking at the five-month trend from January to May 2026, focus crime incidents generally declined, with May posting the lowest number of incidents recorded during the period,” Nartatez said during a press briefing.
“From 3,094 incidents in January, 2,832 in February, 3,268 in March, and 2,877 in April, the figure dropped to 2,149 in May,” he added.
Nartatez said these figures indicate the continuing effectiveness of intensified police operations, enhanced visibility patrols, and stronger collaboration with communities and local government units.
Launched by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on April 6, the “Safer Cities” initiative enforces local ordinances such as a 10 p.m. curfew for minors, a ban on public drinking, and restrictions on shirtless roaming and late-night videoke sessions.
In May alone, the PNP conducted 5,184 anti-illegal drug operations, leading to the arrest of 5,818 individuals and the seizure of illegal drugs with a total standard drug price of more than PHP614.5 million.
The campaign against wanted persons, meanwhile, resulted in the arrest of 6,621 fugitives, including 2,065 Most Wanted Persons and 4,556 Other Wanted Persons.
Under its anti-smuggling campaign, the PNP conducted 2,453 operations that resulted in the arrest of 499 individuals and the confiscation of cash and other items worth PHP3.325 billion.
In the campaign against loose firearms, a total of 1,027 individuals were arrested, while 3,323 firearms were surrendered or confiscated, and 518 firearms were deposited for safekeeping. (PNA)
