MANILA -- Contrary to popular belief crime rates swell during the so-called "ber" months, latest data from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) indicates that it decreased for the last three years.
According to NCRPO data, crime versus person went down from 636 in August to December 2016 to 474 in 2017 and to 357 in 2018.
“It is now a myth in NCR. We have reversed that at least since 2016,” said Maj. Gen. Guillermo, NCRPO chief, in a statement released to reporters on Sunday.
Eleazar also noted steady decline in the number of index crimes from 3,260 in 2016 to 2,753 in 2017 and 2,226 in 2018 while January to August 31 this year has 981.
“Partly, this can be attributed to more active police interventions and increased vigilance of our citizens during this period brought about by strong public awareness thru the media,” Eleazar said.
“Since we have seen continuing and consistent downtrend of crimes in NCR because of our intensified campaign against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality, ‘ber’ months being in the later part of the year have lower crimes than the preceding non-ber months,” he stressed.
Eleazar also attributed the lower crime rates to the intensified campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration against all forms of criminality, particularly against illegal drugs.
He said the NCRPO has improved the security “because of our cooperation and collaboration.”
He directed all the district commanders in Metro Manila to be more alert against criminal syndicates and to intensify its security operations in places of convergence such as malls, shopping complexes and transport terminals where people tend to congregate.
The police districts under NCRPO are the Manila Police District, Quezon City Police District, Northern Police District, Southern Police District, and Eastern Police District.
He also renewed his appeal to the public to help and cooperate with authorities in apprehending those involved in criminal activities. (PNA)
