Rowegie Abanto

Article (news)

CRIME THUMBNAIL-CRIME

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176905343988320260122030112_f3f153090f99f6bdc69515434fcf0c6fb8b630957d805221440d753e010a24c4.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>📷༘  ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Focus crimes across Metro Manila dropped by 24 percent during the first 20 days of 2026, according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin on Thursday.</p><p>A comparison of crime statistics from January 1–20, 2025 and January 1–20, 2026 showed sharp declines in several major offenses. </p><p>Rape cases recorded the steepest drop at 67 percent, while carnapping incidents significantly decreased, with motor vehicle carnapping down by 89 percent and motorcycle carnapping reduced by 60 percent, the report said.</p><p>Other focus crimes also registered improvements, including murder, which declined by 32 percent, physical injuries by 10 percent, and theft by 4 percent. </p><p>NCRPO officials said the consistent downward trend was observed across multiple cities in Metro Manila, indicating region-wide improvements in public safety.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/20/condo-security-guard-shot-dead-in-makati-city-1812">Condo security guard shot dead in Makati City</a></div><p>Police leadership attributed the reduction to intensified visibility patrols, intelligence-driven operations, and sustained enforcement against illegal drugs, loose firearms, and illegal gambling. </p><p>Daily checkpoints, foot patrols, and mobile patrols were deployed in crime-prone areas, transport terminals, and business districts to deter criminal activity.</p><p>During the same period, NCRPO conducted 518 anti-illegal drug operations, resulting in the arrest of 673 suspects and the seizure of more than 15 kilograms of illegal drugs with an estimated value of over P94 million. </p><p>Operations against loose firearms and illegal gambling likewise contributed to the improved crime situation, police said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/21/student-stabbed-to-death-by-fellow-student-outside-school-in-taal-2202">Student stabbed to death by fellow student outside school in Taal</a></div><p>“The drop in focus crimes shows that our strategy is working. We will continue to intensify our operations to ensure that communities remain safe and that these gains are sustained throughout the year,” said Aberin.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>WATCH</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PUzA-7wKQnQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>A comparison of crime statistics from January 1 to 20, 2025 and January 1 to 20, 2026 showed sharp declines in several major offenses. </p>

A comparison of crime statistics from January 1 to 20, 2025 and January 1 to 20, 2026 showed sharp declines in several major offenses.

Focus crimes drop by 24 percent in Metro Manila in early 2026—NCRPO

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Focus crimes drop by 24 percent in Metro Manila in early 2026—NCRPO

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 22, 2026 11:48 AM PHT

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Focus Crimes

Crime

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