PNP: Metro Manila crime rate drops by 50%

MANILA, Philippines - The anti-crime effort of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is reportedly paying off as it recorded an almost 50-percent decline in reported crimes.

With the implementation of Oplan Lambat-Sibat, the average crime rate of 1,000 per week in May 2014 has decreased to 500 as of March 1, said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. during a briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.

Oplan Lambat-Sibat is an anti-crime strategy of the PNP, following criticisms of the high crime rate in Metro Manila.

Cerbo said the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management recorded the drop in the past weeks due to the implementation of a public awareness campaign and an increase in police presence.

The PNP said robberies and thefts dropped from an average of 410 from Feb. 16 to 22 to only 390 from Feb. 23 to March 1.

Robbery and theft cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) from Jan. 26 to Feb. 22 also decreased by 63 as compared to its average in the past four weeks.

The Northern Police District posted the most significant drop involving robbery and theft cases. Crime data showed that in Malabon, such cases went down to only eight; in Navotas, two; and in Valenzuela, five.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II has been personally monitoring the anti-crime effort in Metro Manila as early as May last year, when an average of 919 crimes was recorded weekly. To date, only 412 crimes are being recorded weekly in the metropolis.

At least 14 station commanders in Metro Manila were relieved from their posts due to their failure to reduce the crime rate in their area of jurisdiction, based on the policies of Oplan Lambat-Sibat.