Metro Manila crimes down 39% in past week — NCRPO

The number of index crimes recorded in Metro Manila dropped by 39% from May 18 to 24, 2026, compared with the same period last year, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Monday.

Index crimes refer to serious offenses that occur with sufficient frequency and regularity to indicate the overall crime situation. These include crimes against persons—such as murder, homicide, physical injuries, and rape—and crimes against property, including robbery, theft, carnapping, and cattle rustling.

In a statement, the NCRPO said it recorded 78 index crimes during the one-week period, down from 128 cases logged during the same week in 2025.

The NCRPO attributed the decline to intensified operations against illegal drugs, gambling, loose firearms, and wanted persons across Metro Manila.

Data showed decreases in several major crime categories, including murder, down by 42.86%; homicide, by 83.33%; physical injuries, by 50%; rape, by 68.75%; robbery, by 42.86%; theft, by 24.56%; and motorcycle carnapping, by 44.44%.

Only motor vehicle carnapping posted an increase, with two cases recorded.

The NCRPO said anti-illegal drug operations remained a primary focus, with police conducting 228 buy-bust and enforcement operations that led to the arrest of 281 suspects.

Authorities also confiscated illegal drugs worth more than P11 million, including 870.69 grams of shabu, 11,616.22 grams of dried marijuana leaves, 1,548 ecstasy tablets, and 436.20 grams of Kush marijuana.

Police also carried out 212 anti-illegal gambling operations, resulting in the arrest of 439 individuals and the confiscation of P98,678 in alleged gambling proceeds.

Operations against loose firearms led to 47 arrests and the recovery of 47 firearms, according to the NCRPO.

A total of 263 wanted persons were apprehended during warrant service operations, including 89 listed as most wanted persons.

The NCRPO also reported an improvement in its crime solution efficiency, which rose to 71.79% from 61.72% in the same period last year.

NCRPO chief Police Major General Anthony Aberin said the police force would sustain intensified operations to maintain peace and order in Metro Manila.

“Keeping Metro Manila safe is not a campaign with a finish line — it is a mandate we fulfill every single day. As long as criminality threatens public order, the NCRPO will be on the ground, operational, and fully committed to the communities we serve,” Aberin said.—MCG, GMA News