NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Crime Is Down, But Fake News Is Up-Bongalon Urges Filipinos To Stop Spreading Fear
Photo credit: Cong. Jil Bongalon
Crime rates in the Philippines are dropping significantly, but you wouldn’t think so if you scrolled through social media. According to House Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon of Ako Bicol Party-list, a surge in misinformation is distorting public perception and fueling unnecessary fear.
“Let’s be clear: crime is going down. The data is there,” Bongalon said, pointing to official numbers from the Philippine National Police (PNP) that show a marked improvement in public safety under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration.
However, viral posts—often taken out of context or outright false—are making it seem like the country is becoming more dangerous than it actually is.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
PNP data shows a 26.76% drop in focus crimes from January 1 to February 14, 2024—down to 3,528 cases from 4,817 in the same period last year. That includes crimes like theft, robbery, murder, homicide, physical injury, and carjacking.
One of the most significant declines? Rape cases dropped by over 50%.
Even looking at a full-year comparison, focus crimes fell by 7.31%, from 41,717 cases in 2023 to 38,667 in 2024.
Fake News: The Real Threat
So if crime is down, why does it feel like things are worse?
According to Bongalon, misleading content on social media is a big part of the problem.
“Ang daming nagbabahagi ng videos o kwento na walang buong konteksto. Nangyayari sa ibang bansa, ipapakalat na parang dito nangyari,” he said.
PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil agrees, saying that while there are still crimes happening, the perception of danger is being amplified by viral posts that lack context.
He urged Filipinos to be more responsible online: instead of spreading unverified information, they should report suspicious activities to authorities.
The Real Work Behind the Drop in Crime
The sustained decrease in criminality isn’t by chance—it’s the result of more visible police presence, advanced investigative tools, digital surveillance, and stronger community cooperation.
These efforts are in line with President Marcos’ goal of a safer, more secure Philippines.
But Marbil pointed out that fake news can undo this progress—not just by making people afraid, but also by damaging public trust in law enforcement.
Bongalon echoed this concern, saying misinformation is “a crime in itself” because it steals peace of mind and sows unnecessary fear.
Media Literacy: The Key to Fighting Fear
To stop the spread of false narratives, Bongalon is pushing for stronger media literacy, especially among the youth.
“Kapag mahina ang media literacy, mas madaling kumalat ang maling balita. We need to empower our citizens to verify first, share later,” he said.
At the end of the day, keeping the public safe isn’t just about lowering crime rates—it’s also about ensuring people feel safe. And for that to happen, both the police and the public need to work together against fear and disinformation.
“Let’s be clear: crime is going down. The data is there,” Bongalon said, pointing to official numbers from the Philippine National Police (PNP) that show a marked improvement in public safety under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration.
However, viral posts—often taken out of context or outright false—are making it seem like the country is becoming more dangerous than it actually is.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
PNP data shows a 26.76% drop in focus crimes from January 1 to February 14, 2024—down to 3,528 cases from 4,817 in the same period last year. That includes crimes like theft, robbery, murder, homicide, physical injury, and carjacking.
One of the most significant declines? Rape cases dropped by over 50%.
Even looking at a full-year comparison, focus crimes fell by 7.31%, from 41,717 cases in 2023 to 38,667 in 2024.
Fake News: The Real Threat
So if crime is down, why does it feel like things are worse?
According to Bongalon, misleading content on social media is a big part of the problem.
“Ang daming nagbabahagi ng videos o kwento na walang buong konteksto. Nangyayari sa ibang bansa, ipapakalat na parang dito nangyari,” he said.
PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil agrees, saying that while there are still crimes happening, the perception of danger is being amplified by viral posts that lack context.
He urged Filipinos to be more responsible online: instead of spreading unverified information, they should report suspicious activities to authorities.
The Real Work Behind the Drop in Crime
The sustained decrease in criminality isn’t by chance—it’s the result of more visible police presence, advanced investigative tools, digital surveillance, and stronger community cooperation.
These efforts are in line with President Marcos’ goal of a safer, more secure Philippines.
But Marbil pointed out that fake news can undo this progress—not just by making people afraid, but also by damaging public trust in law enforcement.
Bongalon echoed this concern, saying misinformation is “a crime in itself” because it steals peace of mind and sows unnecessary fear.
Media Literacy: The Key to Fighting Fear
To stop the spread of false narratives, Bongalon is pushing for stronger media literacy, especially among the youth.
“Kapag mahina ang media literacy, mas madaling kumalat ang maling balita. We need to empower our citizens to verify first, share later,” he said.
At the end of the day, keeping the public safe isn’t just about lowering crime rates—it’s also about ensuring people feel safe. And for that to happen, both the police and the public need to work together against fear and disinformation.
Mar 29, 2025
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