PNP CHIEF Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. yesterday reported a seven percent decrease in index crimes or eight focus crimes during the first five months of the Marcos administration or from July 1 to November 30 compared to the same period last year.
Citing information from the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), Azurin told a press briefing at Camp Crame that there were 15,482 index crimes reported during the period.
Index crimes, also known as the eight focus crimes, are crimes against persons like murder, homicide, physical injury and rape; and crimes against property such as robbery, theft, carnapping, and cattle rustling.
“Based on DIDM data covering the period from July 1 to November 30, 2021 versus the same period 2022, there was a notable decrease of eight focus crimes, from 16,469 for 2021 to 15,482 in 2022,” said Azurin.
“A decrease of 1,167 incidents,” Azurin added.
Col. Redrico Maranan, chief of the PNP Public Information Office, attributed the feat to intensified police presence in streets.
“It’s due to our maximum deployment of police officers in the field, 85 percent of our strength when we have big activities,” said Maranan.
“We can also attribute it to our Kasimbayanan ( Kapulisan, Simbahan, at Pamayanan), the collaboration among the police, church and community,” Maranan also said.
Maranan said the PNP can sustain the downward trend in index crimes during the coming Yuletide season.
“We would like to believe that we can sustain that because we will be using the same template that we are using now, 85 percent of our total strength will be deployed and our grassroot effort, which is Kasimbayanan, will also continue,” said Maranan.
Earlier yesterday, Azurin presented the recap of the PNP’s operational accomplishment during his first 89 days as PNP chief through a coffee table book and audio-visual presentation.
The book, titled “First 89 Days,” pays homage to Azurin’s Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” class of 1989. His PMA classmates include Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas, and Navy chief Rear Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr.
Azurin said the book is a compilation of the collaboration of the PNP and other government agencies “in trying to keep peace and security in our country.
“It presents more than our different programs and projects, as it also shares stories of heroism, and good deeds from both our uniformed and non-uniformed personnel towards ensuring the safety and security of our citizens,” said Azurin.
“Moreover, our internal reformation program firmly instills appropriate disciplinary measures, along with spiritual and moral values to decrease misfits and erring personnel,” added Azurin.
