By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday reported a nationwide drop in crime incidents during the first month of 2026, signaling stronger police presence and more focused operations on the ground.
Based on PNP records, 2,449 crime incidents were reported in January this year, 24.32% lower compared to 3,236 during the same period in 2025.
Focus crime categories also posted declines: murder down from 316 last year to 284 this year; homicide, from 104 to 83; physical injury, from 409 to 283; rape, from 848 to 331; theft, from 1,020 to 981; carnapping of motor vehicles, from 25 to 17; and carnapping of motorcycles, from 189 to 144.
PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. attributed the nationwide improvement to the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) under the PNP Focused Agenda, which focuses on better supervision, clearer direction for field units, and faster police response.
“Hindi lang namin tinitingnan ang bilang ng mga operasyon o nahuhuli. Mahalaga sa amin kung nararamdaman ng mga tao na mas ligtas ang kanilang komunidad. Kapag bumababa ang krimen, indikasyon ito na may positibong epekto ang aming ginagawa,” Nartatez said during a press briefing held at Camp Crame.
Nartatez assured the public that police units nationwide will continue to intensify patrols, strengthen community coordination, and strictly monitor police performance to sustain the downward trend.
Also in January, the PNP conducted 4,491 operations that led to 5,062 arrests and the confiscation of assorted illegal drugs, including around 39 kilograms of shabu; over 575,000 dried marijuana leaves; more than 1.5 million marijuana plants; over 3,100 kush marijuana plants; and small quantities of cocaine and ecstasy. The total estimated value of the seized drugs exceeded P651 million.
In anti-smuggling operations, the PNP conducted 688 operations, arrested 436 individuals, and confiscated smuggled goods worth almost P1.95 billion. (PNA)
