PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – The country’s crime rate has dropped by 8 percent in the first 10 months of the year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Thursday.

Citing the latest data from its Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS), the police force recorded a total of 32,031 index crimes from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31 this year — a decrease of 2,877 cases from 34,908 cases logged in the same period last year.

Index crimes are crimes against persons and property while non-index crimes are all other illegal acts, including violations of special laws or local ordinances.

Focus crimes, which include murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, rape, and carnapping of motor vehicles, likewise decreased by 8.18 percent in the same period — from 34,702 cases in 2022 to 31,864 cases this year.

“These promising outcomes stand as a clear testament to the tireless and coordinated efforts of the PNP contrary to popular narratives, the statistics undeniably demonstrate a noteworthy decline in the overall crime rate during the 10 months of 2023. This success reflects the PNP’s commitment to ‘Serbisyong Nagkakaisa’ and our unwavering vow to decisively suppress criminal activities, ensuring the safety and security of our communities,” PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said in a statement.

He said the comprehensive report not only focuses on the decline in various crime categories but also sheds light on the PNP’s operational achievements throughout the period as the key campaigns against cybercrimes, carnapping, wanted individuals and loose firearms were carried out between January and October 2023 which showed significant progress.

The PNP said the campaign against carnapping involved a total of 482,963 operations, leading to the recovery of 973 vehicles, including 245 motor vehicles and 728 motorcycles.

Meanwhile, 972 carnapping suspects were arrested and 542 cases have been filed in court.

The PNP’s efforts against wanted persons resulted in the voluntary surrender of 341 individuals, along with an impressive 63,486 arrests. In the campaign against loose firearms, 7,914 individuals were arrested, and 25,174 firearms were recovered, surrendered, or confiscated due to violations of Republic Act 10591 and additional 15,191 firearms were voluntarily turned in for safekeeping, and 5,049 cases were filed in court.

The campaign against illegal drugs has produced a total of 37,801 operations and resulted in the arrest of 48,454 individuals and a significant seizure of illegal drugs estimated at PHP9.7 billion.

In response to the rising threat of cybercrimes, the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) has implemented various strategies to combat this menace.

From January to October this year, these measures included 12 search warrant operations, 23 implementations of warrants to search, seize, and examine computer data, 238 serving of warrants of arrest, and 170 entrapment operations. These operations resulted in the arrest of 732 individuals and the rescue of 4,096 victims.

“This consistent commitment to public safety remains unswayed by political shifts, reflecting the enduring role of the PNP in safeguarding our citizens. These achievements not only represent statistics but also symbolize the tangible benefits our work brings — enhanced security and greater peace of mind for all,” Acorda said. (PNA)