Metro crimes drop during Holy Week

Crime incidents in Metro Manila dropped by 30 percent during the Holy Week compared to the previous weeks, police said.

In a briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City, National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias reported that only 28 incidents of crimes against persons were recorded from March 15 to 21, compared to the first two weeks of the month, from March 1 to 7 and March 8 to 14, with 90 and 58 incidents, respectively.

He added that the total index crimes during the Holy Week were 117 cases, compared to 179 and 131 in the first two weeks of March.

Barias attributed the drop to the observance of Lent by Filipinos and the deployment of policemen in populated areas such as bus terminals, seaports and airports as ordered by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr.

The NCRPO chief, however, noted that there were sensational crimes  that occurred during the Holy Week, such as the murder of a beautician in Quezon City and the robbery of two gas stations in Manila and Makati City.

Although Malacañang has warned the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines of a possible attack by the communist New People’s Army during their founding anniversary on March 29, Barias said the alert level in Metro Manila was downgraded from heightened to normal alert.

Barias said that although the NPA usually attack police and military establishments in the provinces, the NCRPO will still take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents in Metro Manila.   – Cecille Suerte Felipe