The Philippine National Police recorded a 20.6% decline in eight focus crimes over two consecutive three-month periods, according to figures presented by the Palace, even as several high-profile k*llings have fueled public concern over safety.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said reported focus crimes fell to 7,883 cases from April 6 to July 4, down from 9,506 incidents recorded between Jan. 6 and April 5.
The figures cover m*rder, h*micide, physical injury, r*pe, robbery, theft, motor vehicle theft and motorcycle theft.
The comparison measures two successive three-month periods rather than the same period a year earlier and largely coincides with the implementation of the government’s Safer Cities Initiative. Earlier PNP data also showed focus crimes dropping by 25% in January and February compared with the same months in 2025.
“The PNP has just reported that the crime rate declined by 20.6 percent, from 9,506 cases from January 6 to April 5 to 7,883 cases from April 6 to July 4,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
Castro cited the figures after being asked whether President Bongbong Marcos had issued directives following a series of recent killings, including the fatal shooting of American marine biologist Kent Carpenter in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, the killing of vlogger Alicia “Mima Alicia” Lipata inside her Caloocan home and the deaths of motorcycle taxi riders Fabio Norberte Jr. and Ren Ren De Laviga.
Authorities have charged five suspects with robbery with homicide in Carpenter’s killing, while investigations into the other cases remain ongoing.
Responding to comments that people feel less safe, Castro asked, “Is that the perception of other people?”
“If that is the perception of other people, we see a different thing based on the data,” she added.
Castro said media coverage has amplified attention on individual crimes, while noting that some areas of the country recorded no crime incidents. The PNP has attributed the decline to increased police deployment, faster response times, stronger coordination and the implementation of the Safer Cities Initiative.
