The Philippine National Police reported a decrease of 11.90 percent in the total eight focus crimes for the month of September compared to August, as PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr.
disclosed that the onset of the last quarter of the year is showing encouraging signs of the continuing downtrend in Index crime incidents as gleaned from the Index Crime data in August and September 2022.

According to data from the Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System, it showed a sharp decrease in Index Crimes by 11.98 percent or 366 from 3,056 in August down to 2,690 in September.

The decrease in Index Crimes is seen in Luzon by 5.96 percent or 102 incidents; Visayas by 10.24 percent or 67 incidents; and Mindanao by 28.47 percent or 197 incidents.

Among the eight focus crimes, homicide, rape and murder posted the biggest decreases during the August-September period at 26.09 percent, 25.99 percent and 20.67percent, respectively.

Physical Injury also posted similar double-digit decline at 15 percent, while single-digit decline were posted among theft, robbery and carnapping of motorcycle. During the period, 5.88 percent increase was noted in cases of carnapping of motor vehicles.

"We remain optimistic that this downward trend of crime will prevail until the Holiday Season in December onwards to the New Year when maximum deployment of police and security personnel is expected in anticipation of increased public activities," Azurin said.

Meanwhile, the PNP is on full alert in preparation for the expected deluge of people flocking to terminals due to the long weekend and for the observance of Undas.

PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Rederico "Red" Maranan said that more or less 17,000 members of the Metropolitan Manila police force will be deployed in strategic areas in the National Capital Region.

The PNP is also reminding the public to take necessary precaution when leaving their residences unattended during the long weekend holiday. Traveling homeowners are encouraged to coordinate with their barangay or neighborhood authorities for special security arrangements. With Paula Antolin