PNP Chief Directs Nationwide Sustained Crime Reduction Efforts
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has issued a directive to all territorial police units, extending from regional commands down to city and municipal levels, to maintain and build upon recent successes in reducing criminal incidents across the country.
Strategic Monitoring and Deployment Emphasized
In an official statement released on Friday, January 23, 2026, Nartatez highlighted the critical importance of regular crime monitoring to facilitate strategic personnel deployment and ensure faster emergency response under the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (Empo) strategy. "Maintaining peace and order is not only our mandate. We owe it to the Filipino people in every community for them to feel safe and secure in their homes, in the streets, and everywhere they go," Nartatez stated. He added, "This is what we trained for, and this is what we must do."
Significant Decline in Focus Crimes
According to the latest PNP data, focus crimes experienced a notable decline of 12.4 percent in 2025, decreasing to 35,717 incidents from the 40,771 cases recorded in the previous year. Nartatez emphasized that this downward trend must be consistently sustained across all cities and municipalities, with particular attention to major urban centers where population density can present unique challenges.
Metro Manila Shows Promising Results
In the National Capital Region, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported an impressive 24 percent reduction in crime incidents during the first 20 days of 2026. This early-year success underscores the effectiveness of current policing strategies in one of the country's most populous areas.
Comprehensive Approach to Crime Prevention
To ensure crime rates remain low, Nartatez outlined several key measures:
- Strict and regular monitoring of criminal incidents to enable prompt action and preventive measures.
- Increased police visibility and strategic deployment based on comprehensive crime mapping analysis.
- Closer coordination with local government units, extending down to the barangay level, to ensure synchronized preventive measures and rapid response to any peace and order disturbances.
The PNP leadership continues to conduct on-the-ground assessments to identify and provide necessary support systems to frontline units, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed to maintain public safety effectively.
Recognition from Government Leadership
Earlier, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla commended the PNP's ongoing reform initiatives and noted improved public trust in the organization. Recent survey data indicates that public trust ratings have risen significantly from 71 percent to 80 percent, reflecting growing confidence in the police force's capabilities and commitment to serving communities across the Philippines.
