MANILA – Crime incidents in Metro Manila have dropped by 10.62 percent in December, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Acting Director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin reported on Wednesday.
In a statement, Aberin said there were 9,227 crime incidents recorded last month as compared to 10,323 incidents in November, while incidents on eight focus crimes decreased by 11.94 percent, from 469 incidents in November to 413 in December.
Classified as focus crimes are murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, theft, robbery, vehicle theft and motorcycle theft.
“These improvements showcase NCRPO’s effective implementation of crime prevention strategies and proactive measures to address public safety concerns,” Aberin said.
The NCRPO maintained high efficiency in addressing crimes despite a drop in the crime clearance efficiency from 99.56 percent in November to 98.86 percent in December, while crime solution efficiency remained stable, with a slight decline from 96.36 percent in November to 96.03 percent in December.
Aberin said these results underscore the NCRPO’s swift and effective approach to resolving cases and delivering justice, further solidifying public trust and confidence.
Aside from a downtrend in crimes, NCRPO intensified its operations against wanted individuals, arresting 1,248 persons, including 548 most wanted persons and 613 other wanted persons.
In the same period, the NCRPO intensified its anti-illegal drug operations, confiscating 9.12 kg. of shabu and 5.86 kg. of marijuana, with a total estimated street value of PHP63.84 million.
A total of 761 anti-drug operations also resulted in the arrest of 1,120 suspects.
Police officers conducted 900 anti-illegal gambling operations, leading to the arrest of 2,272 offenders and the seizure of PHP554,874 worth of gambling paraphernalia and proceeds.
The NCRPO likewise confiscated 212 unlicensed firearms, and arrested 202 individuals in 198 operations as part of security preparations ahead of the 2025 midterm elections. (PNA)