The statistical results may not reflect the actual numbers, but 6.7 percent is a worrisome figure for the number of families that reported experiencing various types of crimes and physical violence in the last three months of 2014. The survey, taken by pollster Social Weather Stations Inc. from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, showed that those who reported that they or their relatives were victims of crimes complained mostly of burglary, pickpocketing and carjacking.
The SWS survey showed a crime rate going down since 2012, reflecting a similar pronouncement recently by the Philippine National Police. Critics have wondered if crime incidence is actually down or if victims are simply not bothering to report cases to the PNP in the belief that it would be an exercise in futility.
If the downtrend is accurate, the PNP deserves commendation. But a statistical 6.7 percent of families is still a lot – about four million – and a challenge to the PNP to do more. People must feel secure in their homes and in the streets. Cases of kidnapping for ransom are widely reported, but the more prevalent crimes rarely warrant news coverage: burglary, carjacking, snatching of smart phones and theft of laptops.
Personal safety is a concern not only of Filipinos but also of foreign investors and visitors. Criminality is a problem in any big city anywhere in the world. How a government responds to the problem spells the difference. Tourists flock to places where they believe the government can provide them a measure of safety. Investors prefer to put their money in places where people and property are safe. The figures in the surveys may accurately reflect a declining crime rate, but the government can always do more to protect lives and property.