By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded a sharp decline in the country’s crime rate in June, posting a 30.43-percent reduction in focus crimes compared to the same month last year, as intensified law enforcement operations continued across the country.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said only 2,138 focus crime incidents were documented in June 2026, significantly lower than the 3,073 cases recorded during the same period in 2025—a reduction of 935 incidents.
Speaking during a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday, Nartatez attributed the improvement to sustained police visibility, intelligence-driven operations, strengthened crime prevention measures, and closer coordination with local government units, partner agencies, and communities.
Focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motor vehicle theft, and motorcycle theft.
Among the major gains, motor vehicle carnapping registered the steepest decline, dropping by 66.67 percent from 27 cases to only nine. Reported rape cases fell by 57.25 percent, from 697 to 298, while incidents of physical injury declined by 40.15 percent, from 406 to 243.
The PNP also highlighted significant accomplishments in its anti-illegal drugs campaign. Throughout June, police conducted 5,298 anti-drug operations, resulting in the arrest of 6,085 suspects and the confiscation of illegal drugs valued at more than P435 million.
Operations against wanted persons likewise intensified, leading to the arrest of 7,923 fugitives, including 2,294 listed as most wanted and 5,629 other wanted individuals.
Meanwhile, anti-economic sabotage operations resulted in 2,517 enforcement activities, the arrest of 665 suspects, and the seizure of cash and assorted contraband worth over P1 billion.
The campaign against loose firearms also yielded substantial results, with 1,079 individuals arrested, 3,779 firearms surrendered or confiscated, and another 681 firearms voluntarily deposited with the PNP for safekeeping.
Nartatez also announced that the PNP has expanded its investigation into the syndicate behind the interception of P980 million worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in Mandaue City, Cebu.
The shipment, discovered during a joint operation with the Bureau of Customs on July 2, consisted of illicit tobacco products stored inside 25 container vans at a private wharf.
The PNP chief said investigators have been directed to identify and prosecute everyone involved—from financiers and transporters to warehouse operators and distributors—and vowed stronger inter-agency coordination to dismantle the smuggling network.
In a related development, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported confiscating illegal drugs valued at P40.30 million and arresting 52 suspects in 49 nationwide operations conducted from June 25 onward.
Most of the operations were buy-bust missions targeting suspected drug traffickers.
Authorities also uprooted 2,459 marijuana plants, destroyed 28,800 marijuana seedlings, and seized over 5 kilograms of shabu, 2.38 kilograms of Ecstasy, and 2.1 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez said the accomplishments underscore the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts and affirmed that intelligence-driven operations against drug syndicates will continue nationwide.
ia/xf
