Crime rate in the country down – PNP chief Oscar Albayalde

MANILA, Philippines — The total crime volume in the country during the first half of the year dropped by 17.39 percent, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

In a news briefing at Camp Crame, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said a total of 227,757 crimes were recorded from January to June, lower by 47,945 compared to 275,702 crimes during the same period last year.

“The drop in crimes during the first six months of 2018 and onward until the end of September is expected to become the trend for the remaining months of the year when petty crimes are usually on the rise during the holiday season,” Albayalde said.

He said the volume of index and non-index crimes decreased by 33.05 percent and 13.20 percent, respectively.

The PNP said among the index crimes are murder, homicide, physical injury and rape. The non-index crimes are violations of ordinances and special laws.

Citing data from the PNP Unit Crime Periodic Report, Albayalde said eight crimes posted a significant decrease.

These are murder, which went down by 29.54 percent, homicide by 9.47 percent, physical injury by 33.80 percent, rape by 24.82 percent, robbery by 34.40 percent, theft by 36.90 percent, car theft involving four-wheeled vehicles by 36.30 percent and motorcycle theft by 26.61 percent.

Albayalde did not discount the possibility that the number of crimes may increase when the campaign for the midterm elections goes into full swing next year.