MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has improved performance, citing a decrease in focus crimes across the country and the quick arrest of a suspect in a recent road rage shooting in Antipolo City.

Romualdez commended PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil for leading reforms that have strengthened crime prevention strategies and police response times. He said these efforts have contributed to rebuilding public trust in law enforcement, affirming that “the rule of law is alive and working.”

“I commend the PNP, under the leadership of Gen. Marbil, for demonstrating stronger, smarter policing—from the sharp drop in focus crimes nationwide to the swift arrest of the Antipolo road rage suspect,” Romualdez said in a statement Tuesday.

“These results reflect discipline, innovation, and a renewed commitment to public safety. The Antipolo incident, in particular, shows how far the PNP has come in terms of speed and responsiveness,” he said.

The remarks were made in reference to a March 30 incident along Marcos Highway in Antipolo City, where a confrontation between two individuals escalated into a shooting that injured four people, including the suspect’s partner. 

One of the victims later died, as confirmed by authorities .

Romualdez said that rapid responses to high-profile incidents like this send a clear message that crime and impunity have no place in society.

“When criminals are caught within minutes—not days—it sends a powerful message: there are no safe havens for lawbreakers in this country,” he said.

According to PNP data, focus crimes decreased by 26.76 percent, from 4,817 cases between January 1 and February 14, 2024, to 3,528 cases during the same period this year. 

Focus crimes include theft, robbery, rape, murder, homicide, physical injury, and the carnapping of motorcycles and motor vehicles. Rape cases saw the largest decrease, dropping by more than 50 percent.

Year-on-year data also shows a 7.31 percent decrease in focus crimes, from 41,717 cases in 2023 to 38,667 in 2024.