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Focus Crimes Down 20% Under DILG Safety Drive
Photo credit: DILG
The number of focus crimes across the Philippines dropped by 20.6 percent in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP), which attributed the decline to the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Safer Cities Initiative.
Speaking during the DILG Kapihan: Talakayan sa Komunidad at Pamahalaang Lokal in Quezon City on Thursday, PNP Public Information Office Chief PCol. Allen Rae Co said recorded cases of the country’s eight focus crimes fell from 9,506 cases between January 6 and April 5, 2026, to 7,883 cases from April 6 to July 4, 2026—a decrease of 1,623 incidents.
Among the crimes that saw the biggest reductions were carnapping, rape, physical injury, and theft.
Launched in April 2026, the DILG’s Safer Cities Initiative aims to create safer, cleaner, and more orderly communities by strengthening law enforcement, improving public discipline, and encouraging local government-led programs that help reduce crime.
"Sa programang ito ng ating DILG Secretary (Jonvic Remulla) na direct kami sa PNP ang nag-implement, we treat every event, every statistic, this data as an opportunity for us to further strengthen our system, our protocols," Co said.
Co noted that while criminal incidents continue to occur, the steady decline in reported cases suggests that increased police visibility and consistent enforcement efforts are making an impact at the community level.
The PNP also reported a significant increase in law enforcement activities during the same period. Police apprehensions, arrests, and warnings rose by 21.74 percent, climbing from 2.3 million to 2.8 million.
The largest increase was recorded in apprehensions involving balaclava ordinance violations, which surged by 832 percent in areas with existing local ordinances, including Manila. Cases related to excessive noise and karaoke beyond permitted hours increased by 68.69 percent, while operations against illegal structures obstructing roads and public spaces rose by 50.69 percent.
"Malinaw na malinaw po na may direktang kaugnayan ang pagtaas ng ating mga apprehensions at pagbaba ng krimen. Habang tumataas ang pagpapatupad ng batas at ordinansa, bumababa naman ang mga naitatalang krimen sa ating mga komunidad," Co said.
The PNP said the results highlight the impact of stronger police presence, sustained enforcement of laws and local ordinances, and community-based policing. It added that it will continue working with local government units to maintain safer, more orderly, and secure communities across the country.
Speaking during the DILG Kapihan: Talakayan sa Komunidad at Pamahalaang Lokal in Quezon City on Thursday, PNP Public Information Office Chief PCol. Allen Rae Co said recorded cases of the country’s eight focus crimes fell from 9,506 cases between January 6 and April 5, 2026, to 7,883 cases from April 6 to July 4, 2026—a decrease of 1,623 incidents.
Among the crimes that saw the biggest reductions were carnapping, rape, physical injury, and theft.
Launched in April 2026, the DILG’s Safer Cities Initiative aims to create safer, cleaner, and more orderly communities by strengthening law enforcement, improving public discipline, and encouraging local government-led programs that help reduce crime.
"Sa programang ito ng ating DILG Secretary (Jonvic Remulla) na direct kami sa PNP ang nag-implement, we treat every event, every statistic, this data as an opportunity for us to further strengthen our system, our protocols," Co said.
Co noted that while criminal incidents continue to occur, the steady decline in reported cases suggests that increased police visibility and consistent enforcement efforts are making an impact at the community level.
The PNP also reported a significant increase in law enforcement activities during the same period. Police apprehensions, arrests, and warnings rose by 21.74 percent, climbing from 2.3 million to 2.8 million.
The largest increase was recorded in apprehensions involving balaclava ordinance violations, which surged by 832 percent in areas with existing local ordinances, including Manila. Cases related to excessive noise and karaoke beyond permitted hours increased by 68.69 percent, while operations against illegal structures obstructing roads and public spaces rose by 50.69 percent.
"Malinaw na malinaw po na may direktang kaugnayan ang pagtaas ng ating mga apprehensions at pagbaba ng krimen. Habang tumataas ang pagpapatupad ng batas at ordinansa, bumababa naman ang mga naitatalang krimen sa ating mga komunidad," Co said.
The PNP said the results highlight the impact of stronger police presence, sustained enforcement of laws and local ordinances, and community-based policing. It added that it will continue working with local government units to maintain safer, more orderly, and secure communities across the country.
Jul 16, 2026
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