Crimes in 2007 fewer than in 2006, 2005 – PNP

The number of crime incidents all over the Philippines in 2007 was smaller compared to those recorded in 2006 and 2005, the National Police said Thursday. In a statement issued by Senior Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome, PNP spokesman, crime incidents in 2007 dipped by 5.46 percent compared to reported incidents in 2006. Citing figures from the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), Bartolome said a total of 67,333 crime incidents were reported last year, fewer than the 71,227 incidents in 2006, and 76,758 in 2005. "(PNP Chief Gen. Avelino) Razon attributed the general improvement on peace and order to the active participation of local governments and the community in the government's initiatives for peace, and to the police campaign on anti-criminality," Bartolome said. Bartolome disclosed that of the 67,333 crimes last year, "59,474 were solved with the identification or arrest of the offenders, and the filing of criminal charges in court." This showed a crime solution efficiency rating of 88.33 percent, he said. Based on the DIDM records, crimes against property (robbery and theft) posted the most significant decline at 13.32 percent or from 17,301 cases in 2006 to 14,995 in 2007. The same thing is true with crimes against persons (murder, homicide, physical injury and rape), which went down by 6.74 percent or from 24,282 cases in 2006 to 22,643 in 2007. For the non-index crimes (or violation of special laws, which is considered as a less serious offense), Bartolome said the incidents of 29,695 last year is almost the same as in the previous year's. "Gen. Razon said the improving trend in the country's crime situation is an encouraging indication of better prospects ahead in peace and order," Bartolome said. - GMANews.TV