RP street crimes down by 42%, says PNP chief
Quezon City (10 October) -- THE INCIDENCE of street crimes in the Philippines has gone down by about 42 percent in the third quarter of 2006, police officials said Tuesday.
In a report on his first 100 days in office, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Calderon said that the PNP has accomplished its objective of decreasing the crime rate.
Police Director Wilfredo Garcia, chief of the directorate for operations, said street crimes declined by approximately 42 percent in the third quarter or from 4,175 in the same period last year to 2,404.
Of the number, a 48 percent decrease in drug pushing or from 1,889 cases in the third quarter of 2005 to 982 in the same period this year has been noted, Garcia said.
Robbery also declined by 19 percent, theft by 52 percent, swindling by 60 percent, and physical injury by 47 percent, Garcia said.
When Calderon assumed post, he said he would focus on crushing street crimes.
"We must be swift in addressing street crimes and resolving unwarranted killings and uphold everyone's right to life and peaceful living," said Calderon in a speech following his assumption as PNP chief. (PIA) [top]
