Manila: Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has directed all territorial police units at city and municipal levels to continue efforts to reduce criminal incidents within their jurisdictions:
According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative comes after the police documented a 12.4 percent reduction in focus crimes for 2025, with incidents dropping from 40,771 in 2024 to 35,717 last year.
The focus crimes include murder, homicide, rape, physical injury, theft, robbery, and motor vehicle and motorcycle theft. Data indicates that significant reductions occurred in major crime categories, with rape cases showing the largest decrease at 22.68 percent, declining from 9,910 cases in 2024 to 7,662 in 2025. Motor vehicle theft followed with a 20.18 percent decrease, from 332 cases in 2024 to 265 last year. Murder cases dropped by 17.8 percent, from 4,151 to 3,412, while homicide cases fell by 14.98 percent, from 1,268 to 1,078 incidents. Physical injury cases decreased by 13.98 percent, from 5,593 to 4,811, and robbery by 11.87 percent, from 4,136 to 3,645 cases. Theft saw a 4.31 percent reduction, from 13,232 cases in 2024 to 12,662 in 2025.
Nartatez emphasized the necessity of sustained efforts in every city and town, particularly in key urban areas, highlighting the importance of regular crime monitoring to ensure strategic deployment and swift response under the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) strategy. He stated that maintaining peace and order is a mandate owed to the Filipino people to ensure their safety and security in various environments.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported a 24 percent decline in the first 20 days of 2026, showcasing the need for regular and stringent monitoring of crime incidents in alignment with directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to prioritize public safety and peace.
Nartatez also highlighted the importance of police visibility, strategic deployment based on crime-mapping, and coordination with local government units down to the barangay level to facilitate preventive and quick responses to any disturbances. Regular assessments are conducted to ensure necessary support systems reach the lowest units.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla praised the PNP's reforms, noting increased public trust in the organization, reflected in a recent survey where trust rose from 71 percent to 80 percent.
In related developments, intensified operations by the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) and the ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) led to a near zero incidence of kidnapping over the past six months. According to PNP-AKG's data, kidnap for ransom (KFR) cases decreased by 15 percent in 2025, with 28 cases recorded compared to 33 in 2024. Only five cases were reported from August 26, 2025, to the present.
Remulla announced the arrest of two individuals involved in high-profile kidnapping cases during two separate operations conducted by the PNP-AKG. Lito Diego Presaldo, ranked sixth on the AKG's most wanted list, was apprehended in Sitio Can Adlay, Brgy. Gutivan, Cajidiocan, Romblon, after three years in hiding. Danilo Abilong, involved in several kidnappings, was arrested along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City.
