PNP: Focus crimes dropped by 41.77% in August 2026

Focus crimes nationwide declined by 41.77% in August 2026 compared with the same month last year, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday. “Overall, the eight focus crime categories registered 2,087 incidents in August 2026, compared with 3,584 in August 2025, representing 1,497 fewer reported incidents during the period,” the PNP said in a statement. Focus crimes are offenses considered serious in nature and occur with sufficient frequency and regularity. These include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping of motor vehicles, and carnapping of motorcycles. PNP data showed that carnapping of motor vehicles posted the biggest decline at 67.74%, followed by rape at 58.65%, with cases falling from 769 to 318. Carnapping of motorcycles fell by 53.64%, while physical injury cases declined by 46.83%. Theft cases also dropped by 41.67%. Meanwhile, robbery cases declined by 33.16%, while homicide cases fell by 33.33%. “It’s good to see the decline, but we shouldn’t be complacent. Every number represents a real situation involving people and communities,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said. “So our work continues—prevent where we can, respond when needed, and make sure our police service remains present where people need it most,” he added.— MCG, GMA News