PNP: Focus crimes drop in January–November 2022

The incidence of the eight focus crimes—murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping of motor vehicles, and carnapping of motorcycles—was lower in the first 11 months of 2022 than in the same period in the last three years, Philippine National Police data showed.

According to Cedrick Castillo's report on "24 Oras," PNP data showed that in the period from January 1 to November 13, 2022, there were 33,844 recorded incidents of these crimes—2.72% lower year-on-year than the 34,792 recorded in the same period in 2021.

In the same period in 2019, there were 60,912 focus crimes recorded. When the pandemic hit in 2020, the number plunged to 38,464, and dipped again in 2021 to 34,792.

“Yung mga inaasahan po natin na mga krimen na tumataas during Yuletide season, particularly yung mga crimes against person, yung theft and robbery bumaba po,” said PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo.

Carnapping saw the biggest year-on-year decline of 21.63%, followed by rape (12.50%), homicide (12.04%), and murder (11.95%).

However, focus crimes may start increasing again with the reopening of the economy.

Authorities urged the public to avoid carrying large amounts of cash and to not to wear jewelry when shopping. If someone is following you, they said, reroute to a crowded area and immediately approach the authorities. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News