The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee secretary administers the oath of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte Monday, October 28, 2024 before he begins his testimony before the subcommittee investigating motu proprio the alleged extra-judicial killings during his administration. Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday dismissed the claim of former President Rodrigo Duterte during a Senate hearing that there is an increase of drug-related crimes in the country in the current administration.

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In a statement, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said peace and order in the country is "not only stable but has also dramatically improved."

"Secretary Remulla firmly refutes the former President's claims that the end of the previous administration’s War on Drugs in 2022 has allowed criminal elements to resurface. Such assertions, made during a Senate hearing on the previous administration's controversial anti-drug campaign, stand in stark contrast to the comprehensive data provided by the Philippine National Police (PNP)," the DOJ said.

Duterte made the remarks at the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing on Monday.

Based on a report submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the total number of crimes recorded from July 1,2022 to January 31,2024 has dipped to 324,368.

This figure is 10.66 percent lower than the 363,075 crimes logged between December 1,2020 and June 30,2022. 

According to the report, crimes that saw a decline include rape (11.08 percent), physical injury (10.59 percent), robbery (2.26 percent), murder (10.17 percent), carnapping (23.27 percent), and homicide (0.91 percent).

"In light of these verified statistics, the Department of Justice categorically dismisses the statements made by former President Duterte as anecdotal and lacking empirical support," the DOJ said. 

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"With utmost respect for former President [Rodrigo] Duterte's leadership, we believe that his perception of an escalating crime rate does not reflect the reality supported by concrete data. The peace and order situation remains a top priority for the Marcos Administration, and we are committed to assuring the Filipino people that our nation is on a path toward greater stability and security,” Remulla added.

The DOJ said it remains committed to maintaining peace and order, as well as upholding the rule of law in the country.

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