More police officers will be deployed in malls, shopping centers, streets and other establishments during the "ber" months to avoid any possible rise in crime., Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said.

Speaking at a Palace press briefing on Wednesday, Azurin said they usually expect crimes to go up during the last four months of the year, or the so-called "ber" months.

"As always, we anticipate crimes to go up when the 'ber' months come that is why I instructed our police not just in the National Capital Region for an increased police presence,," Azurin said in a mix of Filipino and English.

He added: "We will be deploying mobile patrols even to the point of deploying ang ating SAF (Special Action Force). Kailangan ay all over po ang ating kapulisan, specifically doon po sa mga crime-prone areas."

"I have directed district directors to inform all village leaders with regards to their crime expectation so we would know where to deploy and the interventions needed for each village to work hand in hand," he said.

Azurin said during the briefing that index crimes in the country have been on a steady downtrend during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s first 56 days in office.

The country's top cop said the trend has been observed when compared with data from the same period during the start of previous administrations — 2010 (under former President Benigno Aquino III) and 2016 (under former President Rodrigo Duterte).

He said index crimes refer to offenses considered as serious in nature with sufficient frequency and regularity —murder, homicide, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping, and physical injury.

From 1 July to 25 August this year, theft cases decreased to 1,896 from 7,514 in 2016 and 12,773 in 2010 while physical injury cases also dropped to 579 from 3,777 in 2016 and 10,208 in 2010.

The same trend was also seen in cases of robbery (793 from 3,028 in 2016 and 6,580 in 2010; murder (649 from 2,332 in 2016 and 1,423 in 2010; carnapping (280 from 1,253 in 2016 and 1,169 in 2010); rape (903 from 1,666 in 2016 and 704 in 2010); and homicide (161 from 345 in 2016 and 614 in 2010).

He said the continuous monitoring and follow-up of cases and strategies by investigators have contributed to improving crime clearance and solution efficiencies.

"In the coming weeks, we expect to make some adjustments in deployment, probably including enhanced and extended nightshift duties, more foot and mobile patrols, and preventive crackdown against criminal elements." he added.

with Paula Antolin