ALMOST 12 percent of the number of eight focus crimes in September has decreased as the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Monday.
Speaking in a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the onset of the last quarter of the year is showing encouraging signs of the continuing downtrend in index crimes based on the index crime data for August and September 2022.
The Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) showed a sharp decrease in index crimes by 11.98 percent — from 3,056 in August down to 2,690 in September.
The decrease in index crimes is noted in Luzon by 5.96 percent or 102 cases; the Visayas by 10.24 percent or 67 cases; and Mindanao by 28.47 percent or 197 cases.
Among the eight focus crimes, homicide, rape, and murder posted the biggest decreases during the August-September period at 26.09 percent, 25.99 percent, and 20.67percent, respectively.
Physical injury cases also posted a similar double-digit decline at 15 percent, while single-digit declines were posted among theft, robbery, and motorcycle theft.
Meanwhile, vehicle theft cases saw an increase of 5.88 percent.
“We remain optimistic that this downward trend of crime will prevail until the holiday season in December onwards to the New Year when maximum deployment of police and security personnel is expected in anticipation of increased public activities,” Azurin said.
