Manila: Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. reported that the country's overall crime rate declined by 12.4 percent in 2025 compared to 2024.
According to Philippines News Agency, official records from the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management indicated that focus crimes decreased from 40,771 incidents in 2024 to 35,717 in 2025, marking a reduction of 5,054 cases year on year. Focus crimes include murder, homicide, rape, physical injury, theft, robbery, and motor vehicle and motorcycle theft.
Data further revealed significant reductions in major crime categories. Rape registered the highest decrease at 22.68 percent, dropping from 9,910 cases in 2024 to 7,662 in 2025. Motor vehicle theft posted a decline of 20.18 percent, from 332 in 2024 to 265 last year. Murder cases decreased by 17.8 percent, from 4,151 to 3,412, while homicide cases slid by 14.98 percent, from 1,268 to 1,078 incidents. Physical injury cases went down by 13.98 percent, from 5,593 to 4,811, and robbery by 11.87 percent, from 4,136 to 3,645 cases. Theft recorded a 4.31 percent decrease, from 13,232 cases in 2024 to 12,662 in 2025.
A comparison of two equal 128-day periods in 2025 showed a sustained downward trend in crime, with incidents decreasing by 11.64 percent, from 13,307 cases recorded between April 19 and Aug. 25 to 11,758 cases from Aug. 26 to Dec. 31, or 1,549 fewer incidents as of Jan. 2, 2026.
Nartatez attributed the sustained decrease in crime to the effectiveness of the PNP's Focused Agenda and the collective efforts of police units nationwide. He emphasized that the gains achieved in 2025 were a result of consistent implementation of crime prevention and law enforcement strategies on the ground.
Looking ahead to 2026, the PNP leadership assured the public that law enforcement efforts will be further intensified to sustain and improve the country's crime environment, with a stronger emphasis on crime prevention and crime solution strategies.
