By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The crime rate in Metro Manila plummeted by 26.08 percent from January to April, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Monday.
In a statement, NCRPO Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the 1,627 crimes are lower compared to 2,201 logged during the same period last year.
Aberin attributed the decrease in the implementation of crime prevention measures that include continuous training and adequate resources, active in crime deterrence and swift law enforcement response, and alliance with communities and stakeholders to foster lasting public safety.
“There is no substitute to a police force that is seen, heard and felt by the community. Let us ensure continuity of our crime prevention efforts through our Able, Active and Allied approach in policing,” Aberin said.
Aberin said the decline was notable in in six of the eight major crime categories, with rape cases dropping by 29.68 percent, or from 401 to 282 incidents; physical injuries by 29.11 percent (237 to 168); homicide by 28.85 percent (52 to 37); and murder by 26.62 percent (139 to 102).
Robbery cases also went down by 18.73 percent (from 283 to 230) and theft by 31.25 percent (944 to 649).
He said crime solution efficiency also improved from 68.83 percent in 2024 to 70.99 percent in 2025.
Meanwhile, Aberin said Metro Manila cops arrested 105 individuals involved in various illegal activities from Nov. 23, 2024 to May 3, 2025.
Aberin said police operations were directed to be always preceded by thorough planning and case build-up, working closely with the judiciary, to avoid any violations of the rule of law and the human rights of suspects.
He said the 103 operations also led to the seizure of 89 firearms, 337 rounds of ammunition, and the confiscation of 755.16 grams of shabu and 259.62 grams of marijuana worth PHP4.7 million.
“This operational strategy is in accordance with the President’s (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) call to ensure that all police operations are legal and within established procedures,” Aberin said. (PNA)
