By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

CRIME PREVENTION. A rider presents his credentials at a checkpoint in Project 4, Quezon City on Jan. 12, 2025. National Capital Region Police Officer acting chief Bri. Gen. Anthony Aberin on Sunday (Feb. 2) said crime incidents in Metro Manila dropped by 19.61 percent in January. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – Crimes in Metro Manila dropped by 19.61 percent in the first month of 2025, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acting chief Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin said on Sunday.

Aberin said the NCRPO tallied 451 crimes against persons and properties in January, fewer by 110 than in the same month last year.

He attributed the achievement to the aggressive and relentless police operations against criminals, especially in the fight against illegal drugs, loose firearms, illegal gambling and wanted persons.

Classified as focus crimes are murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, theft, robbery, vehicle theft and motorcycle theft.

Rape cases dropped by 46.49 percent, physical injuries by 37.14 percent, homicide by 28.57 percent, murder by 17.65 percent and theft by 23.05 percent.

Aberin noted the high efficiency in addressing crimes with 92.46 percent recorded for clearance efficiency and 72.73 percent for solution efficiency.

“The timely arrest of these lawless elements contributes to crime reduction as it removes perpetrators from the streets to victimize helpless individuals. Further, the strict implementation of local ordinances is also a major factor in this consistent reduction in the number of crimes,” he said in a news release.

NCRPO is composed of Manila Police District, Quezon City Police District, Northern Police District, Southern Police District and Eastern Police District.

Meanwhile, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Saturday said 1,177 wanted persons and suspects were arrested in January.

He said anti-crime operations also netted 139 firearms, six explosives, 1,311 rounds of assorted ammunition, and other pieces of evidence worth PHP97.2 million, resulting in 149 filed criminal complaints.

“It is important that we account for and confiscate all loose firearms so that these will not be used as instruments of crime for the incoming election,” Torre said. (PNA)