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Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday reported a decline in crimes against persons just over a week into the rollout of the government’s Safer Cities initiative.Crimes against persons refer to offenses that involve direct physical harm, threats, or violations of an individual’s safety and integrity, including murder, assault, kidnapping, and rape.According to PNP Directorate for Operations chief Police Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones, data from April 6 to 14 showed a notable decrease in such crimes compared to the nine-day period prior to the program’s implementation, from March 28 to April 5.Murder cases dropped by 9.8 percent, homicide by 39.3 percent, physical injuries by 22.7 percent, and rape by 22.9 percent.However, Peñones noted that robbery incidents remain a concern.“That&#x27;s why we recalibrated our deployment based on the prevailing crime situations,” Peñones said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/10/palace-on-safe-cities-discipline-protection-not-anti-poor-1747">Palace on &#x27;Safe Cities&#x27;: Discipline, protection not &#x27;anti-poor&#x27; </a></div>The Safer Cities program, launched by the Department of the Interior and Local Government on April 6, aims to curb crime in urban areas through stricter enforcement of local ordinances.As of April 15, authorities have apprehended at least 89,532 violators. Common violations include drinking and smoking in public places, going shirtless in public, operating karaoke beyond permitted hours, and minors violating curfew rules.Most violators were issued warnings and released, while others were fined or formally charged.Peñones assured the public that enforcement efforts will remain within legal bounds.“That&#x27;s why our directive to our personnel is to see to it that there should be close coordination between the PNP, the local government units who issued the ordinance, and of course the barangay and the community,” he said. Implementation of the initiative has not been without opposition or without snags.A man was cited last week for being shirtless while mixing cement outside his home in Mandaluyong City, prompting public criticism of the policy.<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/15/dilg-chief-visits-shirtless-man-given-violation-ticket-1045">Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has since apologized for the incident </a>and has said that workers who may need to go shirtless while working because of the heat are exempted from the policy.The DILG chief reimbursed the P500 fine paid by the barangay for Lanquino and also extended financial assistance to help the family finish repairs on their home.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday reported a decline in crimes against persons just over a week after the rollout of the government’s Safer Cities initiative.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday reported a decline in crimes against persons just over a week after the rollout of the government’s Safer Cities initiative.

PNP reports drop in crimes against persons after 'Safer Cities' rollout

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PNP reports drop in crimes against persons after 'Safer Cities' rollout

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 16, 2026 01:59 PM PHT

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