Manila: The nationwide crime rate in the Philippines dropped by 25% during the first two months of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year, as announced by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP data revealed a significant decrease in focus crimes, which fell from 6,081 cases in January-February 2025 to 4,532 in the same months of 2026. Focus crimes encompass a variety of offenses, including murder, homicide, rape, physical injury, theft, and the carnapping of motorcycles and motor vehicles.
Specifically, the data showed that rape cases declined from 707 to 301, physical injury incidents decreased from 368 to 284, carnapping of motor vehicles slightly fell from 14 to 12, carnapping of motorcycles reduced from 182 to 162, murder cases dropped from 270 to 242, and theft incidents decreased from 943 to 879. February alone saw a reduction in focus crimes to 2,269 cases, a notable decrease from 2,835 cases in February 2025.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. attributed the decrease in crime to improved deployment, faster response times, and more effective coordination. "We continue to intensify data-driven interventions," Nartatez stated during a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
In addition to crime reduction, the PNP seized PHP6.5 billion worth of suspected illegal drugs in February 2026. Seized items included 1.29 million grams of dried marijuana leaves, 1.22 million marijuana plants, 25.14 kilograms of shabu, 1.48 kilograms of marijuana kush, 208 grams of ecstasy, and one gram of cocaine. The authorities also arrested 4,782 drug suspects during the month, with two fatalities reported in operations.
From February 1 to 28, police efforts resulted in the confiscation of PHP1.55 billion worth of alleged contraband, the arrest of 522 individuals, and the execution of 1,520 anti-smuggling operations. Additionally, police arrested 980 individuals and seized 3,049 firearms for violations of Republic Act 10591, known as the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
During the briefing, Nartatez directed the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management to review cases involving officers linked to alleged killings since 2022. This directive was in response to a statement by Nicholas Kaufman, counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court, who claimed that drug-related killings continued under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
