Crime rate in Metro Manila down by over 21% —NCRPO

The crime rate in Metro Manila went down by 21.71% from January 1 to February 15, 2025 compared with the same period last year, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

“For the first 46 days of 2025, cases of 8 Focus Crimes—murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, robbery, theft, and carnapping—dropped from 852 in 2024 to 667 in 2025, a reduction of 185 cases,” the NCRPO said in a statement on Tuesday.

Focus crimes are offenses considered as serious in nature with sufficient frequency and regularity.

Homicide cases had the biggest decline at 50%, followed by rape cases at 41.57%. Physical injury cases also dropped by 38%, murder cases by 34.62%, and theft cases by 23.08%.

The NCRPO attributed the decline in focus crimes to its intensified police visibility in main areas of convergence, busy streets and alleys, business districts, as well as secluded areas.  

According to the NCRPO, its intelligence-driven operations against criminals and lawless elements also helped ease the crime rate.

Meanwhile, the NCRPO also reported that the crime solution efficiency—which refers to the number of resolved cases—in the region rose from 93.91% in 2024 to 95.84% in 2025.

The NCRPO attributed this improvement to the enhanced investigative capabilities and greater cooperation between the police and the judiciary.

“There is no doubt that this consistent decline of crimes in Metro Manila and the increase of crime solution efficiency of NCRPO are results of the strong, consistent and dependable partnership between the police and the community,” NCRPO chief Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin said. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News