Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it saw a substantial decline in the country's crime rates, proving the effectiveness of its ongoing strategies and proactive measures. In a statement, the PNP said total index crimes in the country dropped by 61.87 percent from July 1, 2022 to July 28 this year from 217,830 incident to 83,059 incidents, as compared to the same period from 2016 to 2018. 'Notably, crimes against persons, including murder, homicide, physical injuries, and rape, decreased by 55.69%. Specifically, we recorded reductions of 11,641 in murders, 2,420 in homicides, 2,719 in rape incidents, and a notable decrease of 34,966 in physical injuries,' it said. The PNP said crimes against property such as robbery, theft, and carnapping, registered a significant decline of 66.81 percent, with reported cases dropping from 124,799 to 41,420 during the same comparative periods. 'In addition to the reduction in crime volume, the PNP has made significant strides in operational efficie ncy, evidenced by a 27.13 percent increase in the Crime Clearance Efficiency rate and a 10.28 percent rise in the Crime Solution Efficiency rate. These enhancements reflect our commitment to swiftly resolving cases and delivering justice to victims, thereby fostering public trust in our law enforcement efforts,' it added. The PNP also said its intensified anti-drug campaign has yielded 'remarkable results.' 'In the first two years of our enhanced operations, we seized illegal drugs valued at PHP35.6 billion and apprehended 122,309 individuals involved in drug-related offenses. These accomplishments highlight the effectiveness of our strategies and reinforce our dedication to combating the illegal drug trade,' it said. The police force also reiterated its commitment to implementing a balanced approach to law enforcement that combines effective crime prevention with a strong commitment to protecting human rights. Source: Philippines News Agency