The Philippine National Police on Monday reported a sharp drop in crime nationwide in January 2026, with police officials citing stronger visibility and more focused operations as key factors behind the improvement.

PNP Chief Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the year opened on a safer note, based on data from the police’s Crime Information, Reporting and Analysis System.

In an early morning press briefing at Camp Crame following the flag-raising ceremony, Nartatez said that from January 1 to 31, 2026, a total of 2,449 focus crimes were recorded nationwide. This was 787 cases fewer, or a 24.32 percent decrease, compared with the 3,236 incidents logged during the same period in January 2025.

Crime figures also improved compared with December 2025, which recorded 2,594 cases, reflecting a 5.59 percent decline, or 145 fewer incidents.

“These figures tell us one thing—mas nagiging ligtas ang ating mga komunidad,” Nartatez said. “Hindi ito overnight na resulta. Bunga ito ng tuloy-tuloy na trabaho ng ating mga pulis sa buong bansa,” he added.

PNP data showed declines across all focus crime categories. Murder cases fell by 10.13 percent, from 316 to 284 incidents, while homicide dropped by 20.19 percent, from 104 to 83 cases. Physical injury cases declined by 30.81 percent, from 409 to 283 incidents.

Rape cases posted one of the steepest reductions, plunging by 60.97 percent from 848 cases in January 2025 to 331 cases last month. Theft also dipped by 3.82 percent, from 1,020 to 981 cases.

Motor vehicle carnapping declined by 45.16 percent, from 31 to 17 cases, while motorcycle carnapping went down by 27.27 percent, from 198 to 144 incidents.

“HINDI LANG NAMIN TINITINGNAN ANG BILANG NG MGA OPERASYON O NAHUHULI. MAHALAGA SA AMIN KUNG NARARAMDAMAN NG MGA TAO NA MAS LIGTAS ANG KANILANG KOMUNIDAD. KAPAG BUMABABA ANG KRIMEN, INDIKASYON ITO NA MAY POSITIBONG EPEKTO ANG AMING GINAGAWA,” Nartatez said.

He attributed the nationwide improvement to the Enhanced Managing Police Operations under the PNP Focused Agenda, which emphasizes closer supervision, clearer operational direction for field units, and faster police response.

The PNP said police units nationwide will continue to intensify patrols, strengthen coordination with communities, and closely monitor performance to sustain the downward trend in crime.

Drug, anti-smuggling operations

Nartatez also reported significant gains in anti-illegal drug operations in January, with police conducting 4,491 operations that resulted in 5,062 arrests.

Seized contraband included around 39 kilograms of shabu, more than 575,000 dried marijuana leaves, over 1.5 million marijuana plants, more than 3,100 kush marijuana items, and smaller amounts of cocaine and ecstasy. The total estimated value of the confiscated drugs exceeded P651 million.

In anti-smuggling efforts, the PNP carried out 688 operations, arrested 436 individuals, and seized smuggled goods valued at nearly P1.95 billion.

“Let me also highlight some recent accomplishments in anti-smuggling in Quezon City, we intercepted trucks carrying misdeclared goods valued at P221 million. In Zamboanga City, we seized P31 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested five suspects. At NAIA Terminal 3, we intercepted a shipment of suspected cocaine worth over P39 million, resulting in the arrest of the arriving passenger involved,” Nartatez said.