PNP chief confirms decline in index crimes

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Thursday confirmed the decline of common index crimes amid the series of killings of drug suspects.

"Bumaba na ibang forms ng krimen. Bumaba po ang common crimes, 'yung ibang index crimes. Tumaas nga lang 'yung mga namamatay. Pero sige lang," Dela Rosa said at the opening of the 24th Defense & Sporting Arms Show.

The PNP classifies index crimes as crimes against persons such as murder, homicide, physical injury or rape; and crimes against property such as robbery, theft and carnapping. 

At an ambush interview with reporters, Dela Rosa did not give specifics on the exact percentage of crimes that declined. 

“Hindi ko alam kung gaano kalaki, basta significantly reduced daw sabi ng [Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management]," Dela Rosa said.

He only said the decline can be related to the police's campaign against illegal drugs.

"Related 'yan eh. 'Pag nagpursige ka sa drugs, yung mga crimes on poverty bababa rin 'yan. Medyo humina na yung mga loob ng mga masasamang tao gumawa ng kalokohan dahil hindi na sila nagsa-shabu. Noon palagi silang nasa crime. They don't care about their safety. They don't care about kung ano mangyayari," Dela Rosa said.

No breakdown in law and order

Dela Rosa did not consider the spate of killings of drug suspects as breakdown in law and order after the PNP recorded about 200 suspected drug users and pushers killed in anti-illegal drug operations from May 10 to June 10.

“Hindi ko siya i-consider na breakdown [in] law and order. Bakit noong hindi pa ako chief PNP, hindi pa nangyayari yan? May napapatay din naman di ba? Bakit hindi nila sinasabi na breakdown [in] law and order yan?” he said.

“Ngayon bumaba na yung forms of index crimes like yung crimes against property and against persons. Except yung murder saka homicide. Ano masasabi nila? Bumaba pa rin kahit bumaba yung index crimes. Breakdown pa rin yan?” Dela Rosa added.

The PNP chief said the number of killed drug suspects can even be considered as an accomplishment of the PNP, but a cause for alarm of the side of the suspects.

Dela Rosa invited the still at-large suspects to surrender to the PNP because he will not let his police officers get killed in action.

“We consider that as an accomplishmnent 'pag legitimate police operation yan. Pero pag tingnan mo sa mga taong namatay, naawa ako, naalarma ako. Dapat hindi sila mamatay kung hindi sila lumalaban, kung hindi nainvolve sa drug business na yan. I encourage them to stop, to surrender... I would rather have na sila ang mamatay kaysa yung mga pulis,” Dela Rosa said.

'Kapit bisig na tayo'

Meanwhile, the PNP chief urged communities to participate in the war against crime and show criminals and drug lords that their days are numbered.

"Ipakita natin sa mga masasama ang loob na mula ngayon wala na silang patutunguhan dahil kapit bisig na tayo at ng iba pang mamamayan na lumalaban sa kanila," Dela Rosa said.

"Ipakita natin sa mga drug lord and pushers na tapos na ang negosyo nila dahil babalik na sa tamang pamumuhay ang kanilang parokyano at ipakita natin sa mga kriminal na bilang na ang kanilang mga araw dahil puspusan na ang police operations laban sa kanila," he added.

Dela Rosa also called on the communities to be the eyes and ears of the police force if they want crime-free lives for their families.

He said the PNP only wants to give communities the safety they deserve as they walk the streets without the fear of being victims of lawless elements.

"Let us unite towards this change that is now happening in our country. The kind of change where criminals and lawless go where they directly belong. The kind of change that will finally allow our countrymen to walk the streets without fear of crime or violence in their hearts," Dela Rosa said. — KG/RSJ, GMA News