THE government has sustained its good performance in fighting criminality in the country at the start of this year, according to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In his speech during the oath-taking rites for newly promoted officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP), President Marcos lauded the police force for their gains in maintaining peace and order.
President Marcos noted that in 2017, there were 295,382 crimes committed, which dropped to 207,143 in 2022.
“We brought it down further to 198,617 in the first full year of this administration. Index crimes have gone down threefold in the same period. From 107,899 in ‘17 to 38,436 last year,” the President added.
The chief executive said the 98 percent crime clearance efficiency recorded in 2023 was sustained by the PNP’s continuing crusade in the first two months of 2024.
“Compared to January to February of last year, there were fewer cases of theft, robbery, carnapping, rape, and physical injury,” President Marcos said.
“And we have done it without resorting to legal shortcuts, or short-circuiting the process or acts that subvert the rule of law,” he added.
The chief executive also noted incidents of human rights violations were down by 50 percent in 2023 as compared to those of 2022.
He said it only proves that rules strengthening the fabric of democracy are not inconveniences but integral and indispensable tools in serving justice.
Despite its good performance, the President cautioned the PNP not to be complacent.
“So, let me make this very clear, we should not be content with the current decrease in crime rates. While the statistics can be counted, and crime incidents reduced, even in their diminished state, the disturbance they cause is still immeasurable,” Marcos said.
Under the Bagong Pilipinas campaign that the administration is championing, Marcos said the people’s unity is founded on peace, affirming his administration’s commitment to ensure public safety.
The President also urged the PNP to pay particular attention to fighting cybercrimes by using new technology, which he said impacts people’s welfare and national interest.
