20% rise seen in resolution of crimes in Manila: report

There was a 20% increase in crime solution rate in 2019 in Manila compared to the previous year, according to the Manila Police District (MPD).

Lt Col Carlo Magno Manuel, MPD spokesman, this week said of the recorded crimes this year, nearly 90% were solved compared to 2018’s 70% solution rate.

The recorded crimes were those committed against property and against persons.

“There were particular crimes that went up and some that went down, but the important part is the increase in our crime solution efficiency,” Manuel said in Filipino.

According to the MPD spokesman, crimes against property rose because of the lack of police visibility inside private establishments such as malls, especially during the onset of the Christmas season.

Crimes against property include burglary, theft, pickpocketing, car theft, shoplifting and vandalism.

“We don’t have much hold on this since these malls are private and are manned by private security guards.

So our police visibility there is very limited,” Manuel said.

But, he pointed out, the police can control crimes against property.

For a crime to transpire, Manuel explained, three factors should be present: motive, suspects’ capability and opportunity.

Recent police interventions, he said, aimed to remove the suspects’ opportunity by adopting a “surgical approach” to police deployment.

“It all starts with a study of prevalent crimes in the area, where they happen and around what time they happen,” Manuel added.

Based on previous recorded cases, the MPD has determined that snatching is one of the prevalent crimes that takes place on Recto Avenue and Rizal Avenue in downtown Manila between 5pm and 7pm and 3am and 5am or the “crime clock.”