Palace Defends PNP Data on Declining Focus Crimes Amid Public Concern

Malacañang on Monday stood by Philippine National Police (PNP) data showing a decline in focus crimes, asserting that statistics remain the basis for assessing the country’s peace and order situation. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated, “Datos ang basehan” (The data is the basis). According to the PNP, focus crime incidents have dropped by 20.6%, from 9,506 cases recorded between January 6 and April 5 to 7,883 cases from April 6 to July 4. This decline is attributed to the launch of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Safer Cities Initiative. The initiative, launched on April 6 under DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, aims to strengthen police visibility and the enforcement of local ordinances through coordination between the PNP and local government units. PNP records indicate significant declines in rape, carnapping, physical injury, robbery, theft, homicide, and murder during the period. However, Castro stressed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not dismissing recent violent crimes that have drawn public attention. She cited the killing of a marine biologist in Negros Oriental, the stabbing and robbery of a motorcycle taxi rider, and the fatal shooting of a vlogger in Caloocan as incidents that have raised concern. Castro affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing criminality, with law enforcement agencies continuing to implement measures to improve public safety. In the same period, police arrested or apprehended over 2.82 million individuals for various ordinance violations, an increase of more than 505,000 from the preceding three-month period. The PNP believes that increased police visibility and consistent enforcement of local ordinances can help deter criminal activity and enhance public safety. Information Source: GMA News Philippines