PNP: Fewer crimes in January

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Friday that the crime rate in the country decreased by 20 percent during the first month of the year compared to the same period in 2011.

Crime records submitted by the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) showed a sharp decline of 20 percent in index crimes, from 14,227 cases in January 2011 to 11,379 cases last month.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said index crimes are valid indicators of the prevailing crime situation. These include crimes against persons such as murder, homicide, physical injury and rape as well as crimes against property such as robbery, theft, car theft and cattle rustling, he said.

The trend in January showed a similar double-digit decline in crimes against persons and crimes against property compared with the previous year’s record for the same month. 

“If the January crime trend is an indication of things to come in the months ahead, then we can certainly look forward to an improved peace and order situation toward the rest of the year,” Cruz said.

Meanwhile, the PNP’s Crime Solution Efficiency in January rose by 28.02 percent, indicating better police performance in solving crime cases, compared to the same period last year.

“Crime is not a runaway problem because the criminal justice system is fully functional and certainty of punishment has been fully established as an effective deterrent to crime,” Cruz said.