MANILA - Vice President Leni Robredo refuted Friday Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde's claim that Naga City has the 5th highest crime volume among cities in the Philippines.

"Totally unacceptable. Spare our people and our beloved city from misinformation," she said in her official Twitter account.

In terms of focus crimes during the first semesters of 2017 and 2018, Robredo said Naga City ranked 34th in murder, 24th to 26th in homicide, 29th in robbery, and 6th in theft.

"PNP Chief claims Naga consistently ranked 5th in crime volume all over the country. The truth: Murder-34th; Homicide -24th-26th; Rape-29th; Robbery-11th; Theft-6th," she said.

PNP Chief claims Naga consistently ranked 5th in crime volume all over the country. The truth: Murder-34th; Homicide -24th-26th; Rape-29th; Robbery-11th; Theft-6th.

— Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) August 24, 2018

Albayalde's statement came after he denied news reports that he refuted President Rodrigo Duterte's earlier claim that Naga City was once a hotbed of shabu.

Robredo slammed Duterte's pronouncement, calling it a huge insult and a slap in the face of former and incumbent local officials who have worked hard to improve the city.

Naga City is Robredo's bailiwick, where her late husband Jesse Robredo served as mayor for three terms.

The local Naga City Council also passed a resolution condemning the president's remarks.

Dangerous Drugs Board Chair Catalino Cuy has also said Duterte’s claim will still have to be verified by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

In an earlier report, the PNP also said Naga City had the highest monthly crime rate nationwide from January to April 2018.

Naga had a 273.83 average monthly crime rate, based on data by Crime Research and Analysis Center of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detection Management.

However, the crime rate is inversely proportional to the total number of population, then PNP spokesperson John Bulalacao said.

"The higher the population, the lower the crime rate. The lower the population, the higher the crime rate," he explained.