The Philippine National Police on Thursday reported a 20.6 percent decline in the country’s eight focus crimes during the second quarter of 2026, attributing the improvement to the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Safer Cities Initiative and intensified community-based policing.
PNP Public Information Office Chief Police Col. Allen Rae Co said cases involving the eight focus crimes dropped by 1,623—from 9,506 incidents recorded between Jan. 6 and April 5 to 7,883 cases logged from April 6 to July 4.
Among the crimes that registered the steepest declines were carnapping, rape, physical injury, and theft.
Launched in April 2026, the Safer Cities Initiative aims to create safer, cleaner and more orderly communities through intensified law enforcement, stronger public discipline and local government-led interventions.
“Sa programang ito ng ating DILG Secretary (Jonvic Remulla) na direct kami sa PNP ang nag-implement, we treat every event, every statistic, this data as an opportunity for us to further strengthen our system, our protocols,” Co said.
He said that while crimes continue to occur, the sustained decline in crime reflects the impact of increased police visibility and consistent law enforcement at the community level.
The PNP also reported a 21.74 percent increase in apprehensions, arrests, and warnings during the same period, rising from 2.3 million to 2.8 million.
The sharpest increase was recorded in apprehensions for violations of local ordinances on wearing balaclavas, which surged by 832 percent in areas where such ordinances are in effect, including Manila.
Authorities also recorded a 68.69 percent increase in violations involving excessive noise and karaoke operations beyond permitted hours, while operations against illegal structures obstructing roads and public spaces rose by 50.69 percent.
“Malinaw na malinaw po na may direktang kaugnayan ang pagtaas ng ating mga apprehensions at pagbaba ng krimen. Habang tumataas ang pagpapatupad ng batas at ordinansa, bumababa naman ang mga naitatalang krimen sa ating mga komunidad,” Co said.
The PNP said heightened police visibility, sustained enforcement of laws and local ordinances, and strengthened community-based policing have helped deter criminal activity and promote greater public discipline.
The police force reaffirmed its commitment to working with local government units to sustain these efforts and keep communities safe, orderly and secure.