By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Crimes in the country dropped by more than 9% in the past 11 months, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.
PNP Spokesperson PBrig Gen. Jean Fajardo, in a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City, said a total of 34,684 crime incidents were logged from Jan. 1 to Nov. 29 this year, a 9.43% decline from 38,294 incidents in the same period last year.
She said this data breaks the trend of soaring crime incidents during the “Ber” months, where there is an increase in mobility and economic activities.
Fajardo said the PNP aims to sustain these gains with intensified anti-criminality efforts, particularly the implementation of the Enhanced Managing Police Operations, with the aid of force multipliers and the public.
She said police visibility would be intensified in public places and churches, especially when the nine-day Simbang Gabi starts on Dec. 16.
Aside from the holiday season, Fajardo said the police force is also beefing up security preparations for next year’s midterm elections.
Potential election areas of concern will undergo validation by the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council, which includes the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and election officers.
Under the Comelec’s classification of election hotspots, areas under the red category are considered in a critical situation, while those under orange have confirmed “presence of armed groups and organized movements outside the law.”
Villages under the yellow category are identified based on their “history of political unrest.”
In preparation for the start of the election period on Jan. 12, Fajardo said the PNP will establish monitoring centers nationwide.
Fajardo also said vacation leaves of all police officers would be canceled from Dec. 15, 2024, to Jan. 10, 2025, to ensure adequate manpower for the holiday season.