PNP: Crime rate down in the last two years

MANILA, Philippines –  Statistics show that there has been a downward trend in crime rates over the last two years, an official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

Director Arturo Cacdac Jr., chief of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), said there was a sharp decline in crime statistics from 2009 to 2010.

“Crime volume in 2009 was at 502,665 but last year, (there were only) 319,441 cases, so there was a sharp decrease of 183,224 incidents or roughly 36 percent,” Cacdac said in a forum.

Cacdac noted that the PNP leadership is now focusing on crime prevention programs and on training policemen to be more effective in solving crimes.

He said that in 2009, the index crimes or cases categorized as crimes against persons including murder, homicide, physical injury and rape reached 301,703.

However, in 2010, there were only 202,328 cases, down by roughly 32 percent.

Cacdac said that while they consider as good news the decrease in crime volume, the PNP leadership vows to maintain its crime prevention programs and ensure high crime solution efficiency nationwide.

He said there was 29.47 percent crime solution efficiency in 2010, higher than the 25.5 percent recorded in 2009.

Meanwhile, Highway Patrol Group director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said there has also been a decline in car theft incidents.

“We attribute the decrease to the neutralization of major syndicate members specializing in carjacking and highway robbery,” he said. –Cecille Suerte Felipe (The Philippine Star)