Manila: Crime rate in Metro Manila dropped by 37.06 percent in the second month of 2025, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acting chief Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin said on Sunday. In a news release, Aberin announced that the NCRPO recorded 343 focus crimes in February, a significant decrease from the 545 incidents logged during the same month last year.

According to Philippines News Agency, focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, theft, robbery, vehicle, and motorcycle theft. Data from the Crime Information, Reporting and Analysis System showed that murder cases fell by 41.94 percent, with a reduction from 31 in February 2024 to 18 in February 2025. Homicide cases also saw a decline of 25 percent, from 12 to nine cases.

Physical injury and rape cases experienced a reduction of nearly 50 percent. Physical injury cases decreased from 57 to 29 cases, marking a 49.12 percent drop, while rape cases went down from 91 to 46 cases, a 49.45 percent reduction. Robbery incidents decreased by 33.73 percent, from 83 to 55 cases, and theft cases reduced by 33.62 percent, from 229 to 152 incidents.

Carnapping cases also showed a downward trend, with motor vehicle carnapping dropping by 57.14 percent from seven to three cases, and motorcycle carnapping decreasing by 11.43 percent from 35 to 31 cases. Aberin highlighted that crime solution efficiency improved by 8.68 percentage points, rising from 67.71 percent in February 2024 to 76.38 percent in February 2025.

Aberin emphasized that while some individuals might not immediately perceive the impact of these improvements, the statistical data clearly reflects the progress. He credited the decline in focus crime numbers to enhanced police visibility, intelligence-driven operations, and increased community engagement.