Focus Crimes Drop Early 2025: A Closer Look at Safety
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted a significant drop in crime rates during his last State of the Nation Address. Latest figures from the Philippine National Police (PNP) reveal a 22.53 percent decrease in focus crimes in early 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
Focus crimes include serious offenses such as murder, homicide, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping, and physical injury. The PNP recorded 14,162 incidents from January 1 to June 13 this year, down from 18,280 cases during the same time last year.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also confirmed declines in several crime categories in the first five months of 2025. Rape cases dropped by 31.85 percent, physical injuries by 30.21 percent, and robbery incidents by 26.47 percent compared to the previous year.
Public Perception Lags Behind Statistics
Despite these encouraging numbers, many Filipinos still do not feel safer. A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in December 2024 and released in February 2025 showed that 8 percent of Filipino families reported being victims of common crimes in the past six months. This figure rose from 6.1 percent in September and 3.8 percent in June 2024.
SWS tracks common crimes like pickpocketing, robbery, break-ins, carnapping, and physical violence, suggesting that everyday fears persist even as official data improves.
Kidnapping Cases Raise Alarm
Public concern heightened over a series of kidnapping incidents, including the high-profile abduction and killing of steel magnate Anson Tan and his driver, Armanie Pabillo. Civic leader Teresita Ang-See highlighted three kidnapping cases within five weeks early this year and called on President Marcos to scrutinize the PNP’s efforts.
Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) warned about a possible resurgence of kidnap-for-ransom cases targeting Chinese-Filipino communities. Tan and Pabillo disappeared after leaving their Valenzuela City office on March 28 and were later found dead in Rodriguez, Rizal, on April 9. Authorities arrested five suspects in connection with the case.
In response, the PNP established help desks to assist the Filipino-Chinese community and address their safety concerns.
Disconnect Between Data and Public Trust
The PNP acknowledges a gap between falling crime rates and public sentiment. Former PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil attributed this disconnect to misinformation spread on social media. Before his retirement, he launched “action committees” to tackle kidnapping and misinformation issues.
His successor, Gen. Nicolas Torre III, emphasized that police reports could be misunderstood and promised to convince the public that crime is indeed declining. President Marcos himself admitted in his 2024 Sona that statistics alone are not enough, stressing the importance of earning the people’s trust.
However, police misconduct cases earlier this year, such as the dismissal of an entire Eastern Police District unit for extortion, have raised doubts about accountability and recruitment standards.
Stricter Police Recruitment and Accountability
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has backed tougher recruitment criteria and the introduction of “integrity education” to ensure discipline among officers. Between April 2024 and April 2025, the PNP dismissed 1,288 personnel for various misconducts and imposed multiple penalties including demotions and suspensions.
These disciplinary actions reflect the PNP’s commitment to uphold public trust. Gen. Torre vowed to strengthen the Internal Affairs Service to better monitor police behavior and restore confidence.
Looking Ahead to the Next SONA
One year after the announcement of a crime drop, challenges remain. The government must bridge the gap between data, public perception, and actual safety on the ground. President Marcos is set to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, where many hope he will address these concerns and outline further reform plans.
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