By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Unlike the previous Duterte administration which was rocked by alleged human rights violations in connection with its “bloody” drug war, the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. has recorded a “much lower” crime rate.
This was disclosed on Friday by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) headed by veteran journalist and lawyer Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.
At the same time, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. attributed the lower crime rate to the sustained crime prevention programs, public safety initiatives, and convergent efforts of the DILG and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Citing data from the DILG, the PCO acknowledged the country’s index crime volume decreased from 196,519 between July 1, 2016, and April 21, 2018, to 71,544 between July 1, 2022, to April 21, 2024.
The PCO noted that the peace and order indicator also decreased for the same periods from 541,917 between July 1, 2016, and April 21, 2018, to 371,801 between July 1, 2022, and April 21, 2024.
The average monthly crime rate also fell for the same periods, respectively from 21.92 to 15.04.
The PCO observed that crimes such as theft, physical injury, robbery, rape, murder, carnapping, and homicide also went down from 196,420 to 71,133, or 63.79 percent decrease.
Non-index crime volume also decreased from 345,398 between July 1, 2016, and April 21, 2018, to 300,257 between July 1, 2022, and April 21, 2024, the PCO said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
