MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported a 12.4 percent decline in the country’s overall crime rate in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to acting PNP chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
Data from the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management showed that focus crimes dropped from 40,771 cases in 2024 to 35,717 in 2025, or 5,054 fewer incidents year on year. Focus crimes include murder, homicide, rape, physical injury, theft, robbery, and motor vehicle and motorcycle theft.
Among the major crime categories, rape recorded the largest decrease, falling by 22.68 percent from 9,910 cases in 2024 to 7,662 in 2025. Motor vehicle theft declined by 20.18 percent, from 332 to 265 cases.
Murder cases went down by 17.8 percent, from 4,151 to 3,412, while homicide dropped by 14.98 percent, from 1,268 to 1,078 incidents. Physical injury cases decreased by 13.98 percent, from 5,593 to 4,811, and robbery declined by 11.87 percent, from 4,136 to 3,645 cases.
Theft also posted a reduction of 4.31 percent, decreasing from 13,232 cases in 2024 to 12,662 in 2025.
A comparison of two equal 128-day periods in 2025 showed a sustained downward trend, with crime incidents declining by 11.64 percent, from 13,307 cases recorded between April 19 and August 25 to 11,758 cases from August 26 to December 31, or 1,549 fewer incidents as of January 2, 2026.
Nartatez said the consistent drop in crime reflects the effectiveness of the PNP’s Focused Agenda and the combined efforts of police units nationwide.
“Malinaw po sa mga numerong ito na epektibo ang ating PNP Focused Agenda. Ito ay resulta ng mas pinalakas na police presence, mas mabilis na pagtugon, at mas maayos na ugnayan ng pulisya at ng ating mga komunidad,” Nartatez said in a statement.
He added that the gains recorded in 2025 were achieved through the sustained implementation of crime prevention and law enforcement strategies.
“Ang bawat pagbaba ng kaso ay katumbas ng mas ligtas na komunidad. Pero hindi po tayo titigil dito. Tuloy-tuloy lang ang trabaho,” he said.
Looking ahead to 2026, the PNP leadership assured the public that law enforcement efforts will be further intensified to maintain and improve the country’s crime situation./PN
