The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported a 30.43 percent decline in the nationwide crime rate for June 2026 compared to the same month in 2025. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced during a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City that focus crimes dropped from 3,073 incidents in June 2025 to 2,138 in June 2026, a decrease of 935 incidents.
Focus Crimes and Key Improvements
Focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motor vehicle theft, and motorcycle theft. Among these, carnapping of motor vehicles saw the largest reduction at 66.67 percent, dropping from 27 to 9 cases. Rape incidents fell by 57.25 percent, from 697 to 298, while physical injury cases decreased by 40.15 percent, from 406 to 243.
“These results reflect the continuing impact of our intensified police operations, increased police visibility, focused crime prevention strategies, and the strong partnership we continue to build with our local government units, partner agencies, and the communities we serve,” Nartatez said.
Anti-Drug and Wanted Persons Operations
In June, the PNP conducted 5,298 anti-drug operations, resulting in 6,085 arrests and the confiscation of illegal drugs valued at over PHP435 million. Against wanted persons, the PNP arrested 7,923 individuals, including 2,294 most wanted persons and 5,629 other wanted persons.
Anti-Smuggling and Loose Firearms Campaigns
The PNP’s anti-smuggling campaign involved 2,517 operations against economic offenses, leading to 665 arrests and the seizure of cash and articles worth more than PHP1 billion. In the campaign against loose firearms, authorities arrested 1,079 individuals, surrendered or confiscated 3,779 firearms, and had 681 firearms voluntarily deposited for safekeeping.
Cigarette Smuggling in Cebu
The PNP intensified coordination with law enforcement agencies to dismantle the syndicate behind the seizure of PHP980 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Cebu. The shipment was intercepted during a joint operation with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on July 2 at a private wharf facility in Mandaue City, where authorities recovered illicit tobacco products from 25 units of 20-foot container vans.
“This will be an inter-agency investigation intended to unmask all those responsible in the smuggling attempt of these cigarettes into the country and to file necessary charges against them,” Nartatez said. He directed investigators to determine those responsible for financing, transporting, storing, and distributing the contraband, and ordered police units to strengthen coordination with the BOC and other agencies.
PDEA Operations
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that authorities confiscated PHP40.30 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 52 suspects in nationwide operations from June 25 to July 6. PDEA conducted 49 operations, including 35 buy-busts. All suspects will face charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
“This week’s seizures are a testament to the effectiveness of strong coordination among law enforcement agencies. We will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations to dismantle drug syndicates and bring offenders to justice,” said PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez.
During these operations, authorities uprooted 2,459.53 marijuana plants, seized 5,023.84 grams of shabu, 2,385.00 grams of Ecstasy, and 2,100 grams of dried marijuana leaves, and eradicated 28,800 marijuana seedlings.
