MANILA - An average of 33 homicides were recorded daily in the past two years of the Duterte administration, many with no clear motive, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) data.

The police recorded 23,327 homicide cases under investigation (HCUIs) or killings still under probe from July 1, 2016, the start of the Duterte administration, until June 4 this year.

This translates to an average of 995 incidents monthly or 33 deaths daily, records of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (PNP-DIDM) showed.

Of the figure, 2,649 were considered drug-related but happened outside police raids, while 10,594 cases were non-drug related, according to the PNP. The remaining 10,084 cases have yet to be linked to any motive.

PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Benigno Durana, Jr. said they want to be transparent in giving the correct numbers.

“Gusto ng PNP na maging transparent. It is our responsibility para mabigyan ng tunay na data na impormasyon hindi lang ang local community but also the international community para maiwasan ang haka-haka na wala namang basehan,” he said.

(The PNP wants to be transparent. It is our responsibility to release data based on true information not just to the local community but also to the international community to avoid speculation.)

Based on PNP-DIDM monitoring, 795 drug-related cases were resolved while 1,813 are still under investigation.

“Sa mga investigation natin especially sa homicide cases under investigation, we are able to segregate 'yung mga drug cases. After 'yung investigation, ito ang na-find out natin na connected or related sa drugs,” PNP-DIDM Director Elmo Sarona said.

(In our investigation especially of homicide cases under investigation, we are able to segregate drug cases. After the investigation, we found that which ones were connected.)

The PNP-DIDM said investigators have yet to validate claims that police were behind the alleged summary executions of drug suspects.

Sarona said police investigation showed that members of drug syndicates were fighting and killing each other.

“Maraming intricacies ng negosyo nila... nagka-onsehan na, estafa, non-remittance, non-payment of debt, rivalry, lahat. Doon nag-i-spring talaga ang motive nila,” he said.

(There are many intricacies in their trade... there's double cross, estafa, non-remittance, non-payment of debt, rivalry, everything. Their motive [to kill] springs from that.)

Metro Manila had the most number of HCUIs with 4,231 cases, followed by Calabarzon with 3,094, and Central Luzon with 1,830.

In terms of crime solution efficiency, MIMAROPA had the most number of resolved crimes with 82.44 percent, the PNP said.

In the said region, 230 were solved and 343 incidents were cleared while 77 incidents are still under investigation, with 81.67 percent in Crime Clearance Efficiency Rating ranking number 1 nationwide.

Chief Supt. Emmanuel Luis Licup, director of MIMAROPA regional police, said a crime is considered “solved” when the case has been filed in court and at least one of the suspects has been arrested.

He also said a crime is considered “cleared” when the case has been filed in court and the suspect is identified but remains at large.

Licup said the recorded HCUI cases are drug-related and non-drug-related with various motives and circumstances such as arguments and misunderstanding, personal grudge, land dispute, love triangle, family dispute, atrocities by threat groups, business rivalry, road rage, unpaid debt, indiscriminate firing, and revenge.

Western Visayas came in second in crime solution efficiency with 74.80 percent, followed with Eastern Visayas with 73.77 percent.

Metro Manila had the least number of crimes solved with 32.43, percent followed by the ARMM with 35.16 percent, and Central Luzon with 36.45 percent.

Durana said they will closely monitor regional offices to check police performance.

“Those who are not delivering despite the fact that talagang na-communicate na natin, pinagsabihan lahat na there should be sense of urgency,” he said.

(Those who are not delivering despite the fact that we've communicated to them that there should be sense of urgency.)

Durana said based on orders from PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, all regional directors have the authority to change the chief of police, city director, and provincial director if they are unable to deliver.