THE nationwide crime rate last July was 36.12 percent lower than that during the same period in 2025, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.
In a press briefing, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said 2,209 focus crimes were recorded in July, down from last year's 3,458.
The data represented “a decrease of 1,249 incidents or 36.12 percent,” Nartatez said.
Focus crimes are a specific set of high-impact crimes, which includes murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motor vehicle theft, and motorcycle theft.
The offenses are prioritized because they directly harm people or property and deeply affect public safety.
The downtrend was observed across all focus crime categories. Rape had the biggest decline at 56.93 percent, followed by motor vehicle theft (46.15 percent), and motorcycle theft (42.59 percent).
“These results reflect the continuing efforts of the PNP, together with our communities and partner agencies, to prevent crime, strengthen police visibility, and keep our neighborhoods safe,” Nartatez said.
In July, the PNP also conducted 5,526 anti-drug operations, resulting in the arrest of 6,368 individuals and confiscation of illegal drugs valued at P387 million, Nartatez said.
In the campaign against wanted persons, the PNP arrested 8,199 wanted individuals, including 2,352 most wanted persons and 5,847 other wanted persons.
Under its anti-smuggling drive, the PNP conducted 2,927 operations against economic offenses that resulted in the arrest of 656 individuals and the confiscation of cash and various articles valued at more than P628 million. IZEL ABANILLA
