NCRPO: Crime volume to continue to decrease due to intensified cleanliness policy

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) believes that its intensified cleanliness policy (ICP) will continue to bring down the crime volume during the 'ber' months.

Data from the NCRPO on Monday showed that crime volume across the metro has decreased from 2016 up to the present.

"In 2016, 'ber' months recorded only 1,535 crime incidents in monthly average versus 1,725 during 'non-ber' months. In 2017, only 1,339 incidents versus 1,414; and in 2018, only 1,077 incidents versus 1,149 for the 'non-ber' period," according to the NCRPO's record.

NCRPO chief Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar also said crime volume for January to August of this year went down from 1,149 to 981 in a monthly average.

Following this, Eleazar is confident that Metro Manila residents would have a peaceful celebration of Christmas, noting that last year, there is no casualty recorded in the region for the whole season.

According to the NCRPO, the ICP states that "no matter how small the dirt or crime at hand, fix it or clean it up so it does not generate other crimes."

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Police General Oscar Albayalde agreed that criminal activities have decreased in the previous years.

"Hindi totoo ngayon 'yun na kapag 'ber' months ay tumataas 'yung crime volume natin although alam natin na kapag 'ber' months parang 'yung foresight natin tayong mga pilipino mahaba 'yung preparation natin for Christmas," Albayalde said at a press briefing.

The PNP chief, however, assured the public that police would ensure peace and order in the community during the holiday season.

"As of this time, wala namang pagbabago pa 'yung security preparations natin although in the coming days, we will, of course, reinforce our visibility and our target hardening measures," Albayalde said. — RSJ, GMA News