PNP: Murder cases have gone down

MANILA, Philippines — Three months after the implementation of the Safer Cities initiative, killings in the country have gone down based on data from the Philippine National Police.

PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said the country is much safer compared to the past, even with the recent killing of two motorcycle taxi riders.

“The two cases gained the attention of many, but statistics showed that crimes have gone down. The PNP assures people that they are safe,” Co said.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla led the launching of the Safer Cities initiative on April 6 in a bid to curb crime, initially in Metro Manila. The program has since been replicated by other police regional offices.

Remulla ordered the PNP to strictly enforce local ordinances, which include those against drinking in public, vandalism, shirtless men on streets and late night use of karaokes.

From April 6 to July 4, PNP data showed the crime volume has decreased by 17.07 percent with 7,883 crimes recorded. The figure is lower compared to the 9,506 cases documented from Jan. 6 to April 5.

Cases of murder went down from 901 to 879, a decline of 2.44 percent.

Homicide incidents dropped by 17.68 percent, from 294 to 242, the PNP said.

Rape cases also recorded a significant decline from 1,843 to 1,327, a decline of around 27.99 percent.

The PNP released the data after motorcycle taxi riders Fabio Norberte Jr. and Ren Ren de Laviga were killed by their passengers in Caloocan and Cavite on July 14 and July 9, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan has accused the PNP of restricting activist groups from holding rallies during President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27.

Bayan secretary general Raymond Palatino said Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, has objected to their request to hold a rally in front of St. Peter’s Parish along Commonwealth Avenue.

Bayan and its allied groups are eyeing to mobilize over 10,000 people for mass actions for the SONA.

Palatino said they have already attended two meetings initiated by the Quezon City government. However, no agreement has been reached due to the NCRPO’s refusal to allow rallies in front of the church.