THE nationwide crime rate dropped by 36.12 percent in July, compared with 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 3,458 cases in 2025.
The data represented “a decrease of 1,249 incidents or 36.12 percent,” Nartatez said during a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Focus crimes are a specific set of high-impact crimes tracked by law enforcement, which includes murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motor vehicle theft, and motorcycle theft. These offenses are prioritized because they directly harm people or property and heavily shape public safety trends.
The downward trend was observed across all focus crime categories, with rape posting the highest decline at 56.93 percent, followed by motor vehicle theft by 46.15 percent, and motorcycle theft by 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,” said Nartatez.
In July, Nartatez said the PNP conducted 5,526 anti-drug operations, resulting in the arrest of 6,368 individuals and the confiscation of illegal drugs with a total standard drug price exceeding P387 million.
In the campaign against wanted persons, Nartatez said the PNP arrested 8,199 wanted individuals, including 2,352 most wanted persons and 5,847 other wanted persons.
Under its anti-smuggling campaign, the PNP conducted 2,927 operations against economic offenses, resulting in the arrest of 656 individuals and the confiscation of cash and various articles valued at more than P628 million.
