Motor vehicle theft saw the steepest decline among the offenses the Philippine National Police monitors most closely, dropping 67.74 percent this August against the same month a year earlier, according to figures the force released Tuesday.
The category the PNP labels “focus crimes” covers six offenses: carnapping, rape, physical injuries, theft, robbery, and homicide. Measured over the January-to-August window, these incidents fell to 2,087 in 2026 from 3,584 during the identical stretch in 2025 — a decline of 41.77 percent.
Reductions varied widely across the individual offenses in the August comparison. Reported rape cases were down 58.65 percent, and motorcycle carnapping fell 53.64 percent. Physical injury cases dropped 46.83 percent, theft 41.67 percent, and robbery 33.16 percent. Homicide showed the smallest movement, easing 3.33 percent.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. tied the numbers to the organization’s ground operations. “The figures reflect the value of sustained police presence and prevention efforts, while emphasizing that every remaining incident still calls for attention,” he said.
Nartatez framed the results as a baseline rather than an endpoint, stating that “The PNP remains committed to sustaining the positive gains while addressing persistent concerns through responsive and responsible policing.”
