MANILA - The country's crime volume decreased by 8.44 percent or about 41,000 incidents from January to October of this year compared to the same period last year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the PNP said it recorded 452,204 incidents over the last 10 months, a decline from 493,912 cases from the same period in 2016.

Police attributed the dip to "intelligence-driven" operations against syndicates and street gangs.

"All regions posted marked decline in index crime cases of murder, physical injury, robbery, theft, rape, [car theft] and cattle-rustling," it said.

The PNP said that while crime declined in most of the country, there were "slight increases" in Southern Luzon and Northern Mindanao. It did not elaborate.

Last month, PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa said the improved peace and order situation in the country was a result of the government's war on drugs.

• 'Ingrato kayo': PNP chief rips drug war critics

Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte tasked the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to take the lead in the anti-narcotics campaign, putting the PNP in the backseat.

This prompted the PNP to terminate its house-to-house anti-drug operation "Oplan Tokhang" (knock and plead), with Dela Rosa saying the police would now focus on addressing street crimes, especially "riding in tandem" assailants on motorbikes.

• PNP terminates 'Oplan Tokhang'