MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported a 16-percent decline in focus crimes during the first 43 days of implementation of its “Safer Cities” anti-crime initiative.

Data showed that 3,776 focus crimes were recorded from April 6, when the campaign was launched, to May 18, lower than the 4,495 cases logged from February 22 to April 5, reflecting a decrease of 719 incidents or 15.99 percent.

The PNP said all eight focus crimes—murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motor vehicle theft, and motorcycle theft—posted decreases during the period.

Rape cases dropped by 30.61 percent, followed by carnapping of motor vehicles at 28.20 percent, physical injury at 25.93 percent, robbery at 15.12 percent, theft at 10.61 percent, motorcycle carnapping at 6.64 percent, homicide at 5 percent, and murder at 2.17 percent.

In the National Capital Region, focus crime incidents also declined by 8.57 percent over the same period.

The PNP attributed the decline to increased police visibility, intelligence-driven operations, strategic deployment of personnel, and coordination with local government units and stakeholders.

PNP chief Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the early results of the program show the impact of sustained law enforcement presence in communities.

“Ang pagbaba ng focus crimes ay bunga ng mas pinaigting na police presence, mabilis na responde, at pakikipagtulungan ng iba’t ibang sektor sa ating kapulisan. Patuloy nating palalakasin ang ating mga hakbang upang mapanatili ang kaayusan at kaligtasan ng mamamayan,” Nartatez said.