MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered stronger coordination between national agencies and local government units as crime incidents dropped by 12.45 percent in 2025, emphasizing the need to sustain gains and further improve emergency response nationwide.
Marcos issued the directive during the first Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) meeting for 2026 at Malacañang Palace, where national and regional officials aligned strategies to maintain declining crime rates and boost public safety systems.
“At the joint National Peace and Order Council Meeting, we strengthened coordination between national and local governments to keep crime down and respond faster in emergencies,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.
The President stressed that a unified, whole-of-government approach remains key to ensuring safer communities, highlighting the role of both technology and grassroots participation in crime prevention.
“We discussed strategies, such as expanding the use of technology and engaging communities in deterring crime. We want to ensure that people feel safe, stable and secure,” he said.
The Joint NPOC and Regional Peace and Order Councils meeting serves as a platform for national and regional leaders to address critical peace and security concerns and synchronize responses on the ground.
Data from the Philippine National Police showed that crime incidents fell to 35,717 in 2025 from 40,771 cases in 2024, driven by a reduction in focus crimes such as murder, homicide, rape, physical injury, theft, robbery, and motor vehicle theft.
Officials said sustaining the downward trend will depend on tighter coordination, faster emergency response, and continued community involvement./PN
