Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group process seized computers and cellphones used for alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation in Almanza Uno in Las Pinas City on June 27, 2023. File

MANILA — Crimes are down and clearance rates are up, the Philippine National Police said Tuesday, saying there was a 61.87-percent decrease in index crimes recorded in from July 2022 to July 2024 against a comparable period between 2016 and 2018.

"Our latest data indicates a substantial decline in crime rates, underscoring the effectiveness of our ongoing strategies and proactive measures," the PNP, which released the statement a day after former President Rodrigo Duterte's claims at a Senate hearing Monday that crime has risen during the Marcos Jr. administration, said.

'Ako ang makulong': Duterte says he takes 'full responsibility' for bloody drug war

In his opening statement at a hearing on his administration's drug war, Duterte justified the bloody campaign that he said was meant to protect citizens from drug-related crimes.

He added that those crimes were on the rise again with the end of his preferred style of anti-narcotics operations.

• DOJ dismisses Duterte's claim of 'rise in drug crimes'

The PNP said Tuesday that it had tallied 83,059 index crimes from July 1, 2022 to July 28, 2024 against "217,830 reported incidents during the same period of 2016 to 2018."

It said that there have been 11,641 fewer murder cases, 2,420 fewer homicides, 2,719 fewer rape incidents and a decrease in physical injuries cases of 34,966.

"This significant downward trend spans various categories of crime," it stressed, saying crimes against property also saw a "significant decline" in that period.

The PNP considers murder, homicide, physical injury, carnapping, cattle rustling, robbery, theft and rape as crimes that are serious and that happen with "sufficient frequency and regularity" that the data on them can be used to illustrate the crime situation.

• PNP 'sad' after being called 'biggest crime group' by its own cop

"In addition to the reduction in crime volume, the PNP has made significant strides in operational efficiency, evidenced by a 27.13-percent increase in the Crime Clearance Efficiency rate and a 10.28-percent rise in the Crime Solution Efficiency rate," it also said.

Generally, cases are considered solved and cleared when at least one suspect has been identified and there is enough evidence to arrest them and charge them before a prosecutor or in court.

The PNP also said that the current campaign against illegal drugs has seen "remarkable" results with the seizure of P35.6 billion in narcotics and the arrest of 122,309 for drug-related offenses.

According to the UP Diliman-based Dahas PH project, there have been 822 drug-related killings in the Philippines since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office.

The PNP said it will continue to implement "a balanced approach to law enforcement that combines effective crime prevention with a strong commitment to protecting human rights."

The Department of Justice on Monday also said that Duterte's claim of an increase in crimes with the end of his blood drug war, with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla saying the peace and order situation is "not only stable but has also dramatically improved."

The DOJ said Duterte's comments "stand in stark contrast to the comprehensive data provided by the Philippine National Police."

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