Nationwide incidents involving eight focus crimes fell by 41.77 percent in August compared with the same month last year, with the Philippine National Police (PNP) reporting 1,497 fewer cases.
PNP data showed 2,087 focus crime incidents in August 2026, down from 3,584 in August 2025.
The eight focus crimes are murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motor vehicle theft and motorcycle theft.
Motor vehicle carnapping posted the steepest decline at 67.74 percent, falling to 10 cases from 31 in August 2025.
Rape cases dropped 58.65 percent to 318 from 769, while motorcycle carnapping declined 53.64 percent to 102 from 220.
Physical injury cases decreased 46.83 percent to 277 from 521, while theft cases fell 41.67 percent to 767 from 1,315.
Robbery incidents declined 33.16 percent, while homicide cases dropped 3.33 percent.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. attributed the decline to sustained police presence and crime prevention efforts but cautioned police against becoming complacent.
“Magandang makita ang pagbaba, pero hindi tayo dapat maging kampante. Every number represents a real situation involving people and communities. Kaya tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho natin (It’s good to see the decline, but we shouldn’t be complacent. Each number represents a real situation involving people and communities. So our work continues) – prevent where we can, respond when needed, and make sure our police service remains present where people need it most,” Nartatez said.
Drug campaign
The PNP also reported the seizure of illegal drugs worth an estimated P11.5 billion and the arrest of 50,766 suspects during its nationwide anti drug campaign from January to August.
Police conducted 43,383 anti drug operations during the eight month period.
Among the confiscated items were about 1.36 million grams of suspected shabu, more than 3.61 million grams of dried marijuana leaves and over 8.9 million marijuana plants, along with other prohibited substances.
In August alone, police conducted 5,306 operations and arrested 6,044 suspects. The operations resulted in the recovery of illegal drugs estimated at P599.89 million.
Police facilities
Nartatez also said the PNP would ensure that funds for infrastructure projects are properly used to improve police stations and other facilities nationwide.
“Police stations serve as the frontline of PNP services to the Filipino people, and we are committed to ensuring that all our facilities are accessible and presentable at all times as a symbol of the kind of service and protection that we deliver,” he said.
The proposed PNP budget for 2027 is P242.53 billion, up from the P226.55 billion allocated for 2026.
Nartatez said police facilities are being assessed, particularly after tropical cyclones and heavy rains affected several areas in recent weeks.
The assessment will help determine which stations need construction, repairs or other improvements and guide the allocation of funds.
He said the investments would also help the PNP improve its facilities and bring them closer to the standards of police forces in other countries.
Photo courtesy of PhilStar
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