PNP: Crime rate down by 7.2% in January-March 2026 compared to last year

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday reported a decline in crime rate nationwide in the first months of 2026.

“From January to March 12, 2026, the peace and order situation in the country remains to be manageable,” PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detection Management deputy director Police Brigadier General Nestor Babagay Jr. said at Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum.

“An overall reduction of 7.20% noteworthy the decrease in both index and non-index crime as compared to the same period last year,” he added.

Meanwhile, for focus crimes, a 12.66% decline was reported in January to March 12, 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said.

Focus crimes are offenses considered serious in nature with sufficient frequency and regularity. 

These include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping of motor vehicles, and carnapping of motorcycle.

“For the particular period, January 1 to March 12, 2025, eight focus crimes are pegged at 7,301. And for the same period, for 2026, it was pegged at 6,377," Tuaño said.

“Meaning it was now less by 924 incidents or it is less by 12.66%. Meaning our focus agenda, we are on the right direction as far as crime prevention is concerned,” he added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News