PNP: ‘Ber’ month crimes down 18.2%

The Philippine National Police has recorded an 18.2 percent decrease in focus crimes across the country from September 1 to December 19 this year, a reverse of the usual perception that crime rate goes up during “ber” months.

PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo said these focus crimes are murder, homicide, physical injuries, theft, robbery, and carnapping of motor vehicles.

Based on PNP data, 10,268 criminal incidents occurred from September 1 to December 19 compared to the 12,554 recorded in the same period last year.

“The crime volume continues to go down, particularly in ber months and we remain confident that with the help of our force multipliers and other law enforcement agencies, we would be able to sustain this,” said Fajardo.

Cybercrimes also had a downward trend, with the PNP recording 1,331 in September this year compared to 1,322 in September last year, 1,280 in October this year compared to 1,418 in October last year, and 1,254 in November this year from 1,494 in November last year.

In the first 19 days of this month, the PNP recorded 496 compared to 1,364 last year.

PNP chief Police Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. had earlier ordered all police commanders to implement the necessary security measures to protect the public from criminal elements during the Yuletide season.

Fajardo said this was relayed during a command conference and all regional directors have been complying.

“We will not lower our guard. We will continue implement the necessary security measures for the safety and security of our ‘kababayans’ (countrymen),” said Fajardo.