NCRPO: Crime rate in Metro down

MANILA, Philippines - The crime rate in Metro Manila was placed at an average of 660 a week, down from the more than 700 incidents since the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) started grading the performance of police chiefs in June, a police official said yesterday.

From a high of 38 murder and homicide cases, the figure went down to 26 during the last four months, NCRPO chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said.

Valmoria said robbery cases also showed a downward trend.

“We expect the numbers to go down further as we intensify our anti-crime efforts during the Christmas season,” Valmoria said in an interview.

The NCRPO has started grading the performance of police commanders in Metro Manila since June 15.

Valmoria said the crime incidence in Metro Manila was pegged at 659 from Sept. 22 to 28. The figure further went down to 634 cases last week.

“The weekly average crime rate in the metropolis now is at 660. With the renewed energy of our new district directors, we are on the right track to further reduce the number of crimes,” he said.

Four police district directors and 14 out of 38 station commanders have been relieved over high crime rate in their jurisdiction.

Relieved were Richard Albano of the Quezon City Police District, Rolando Asuncion of the Manila Police District, Erwin Villacorte of the Southern Police District and Edgardo Layug of the Northern Police District. All four hold the rank of chief superintendent.

Albano was replaced by Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, Asuncion by Senior Superintendent Rolando Nana, Villacorte by Chief Superintendent Henry Ranola and Layug by Chief Superintendent Jonathan Ferdinand Miano.

Eastern Police District director Chief Superintendent Abelardo Villacorta kept his post for solving the P2.1-million EDSA robbery in Mandaluyong.