MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported a nearly 30-percent decline in the country’s eight focus crimes in the third quarter of 2026, attributing the drop to sustained police operations and efforts to dismantle criminal groups.
PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said 7,233 focus crime incidents were recorded from July to September this year, 3,063 fewer than the 10,296 cases recorded during the same period in 2025.
This translates to a 29.75-percent decrease.
“In September alone, cases fell to 2,063, from 3,226 last year, a decrease of 1,163 cases or 36.05 percent,” Nartatez said.
“We welcome this improvement, but we are not letting our guard down. The decline in crime must be matched by sustained action against those who continue to threaten public safety,” he added.
Nartatez cited recent operations against organized criminal groups and repeat offenders as among the PNP’s efforts to bring down crime.
In September, police operations in Central Luzon and Calabarzon resulted in the arrest of 28 individuals, 14 from each region.
Two of those arrested were identified as group leaders linked to several robbery groups, including the Mamaril Criminal Gang, emerging Gonzales Criminal Gang, Tolding Crime Group or Termite Gang, Gun-for-Hire Group, and Fernandez Robbery Group.
Police said some of the groups or their members had been linked to previous robbery and motorcycle theft incidents.
The operations also led to the recovery of 20 firearms, 52 rounds of live ammunition and seven hand grenades.
These followed operations in August in Central Luzon that led to the dismantling of two robbery groups and the arrest of six members.
Nartatez said the PNP would continue using intelligence gathering, coordination and focused operations to disrupt organized criminal groups.
“By taking down these groups, we aim to prevent further robberies, protect communities, and keep our people safe,” he stressed.
KIDNAPPING, DRUGS, WANTED PERSONS
The PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group also rescued five foreign victims and identified 15 alleged perpetrators in September.
Nine of the suspects were arrested.
Of the 15 identified suspects, two were Filipinos while the rest were foreign nationals.
“Through sustained intelligence work and coordinated operations, our personnel tracked down the leaders and the majority of their members, effectively dismantling the two kidnapping-for-ransom groups,” Nartatez said.
Meanwhile, the PNP conducted 5,045 anti-drug operations in September, resulting in 5,812 arrests and the seizure of more than 96 kilograms of shabu and other illegal drugs valued at P710.66 million based on standard drug prices.
Police arrested 8,447 wanted persons during the month, including 2,254 most wanted persons.
The PNP also arrested 979 individuals in operations against loose firearms, accounted for 6,381 firearms and received another 913 firearms for safekeeping.
“This is particularly important in our crime-prevention efforts because removing loose firearms from circulation also reduces the opportunity for them to be used in criminal activities,” Nartatez said.
The PNP also conducted 3,140 operations against smuggling in September, resulting in 564 arrests and the seizure of smuggled goods and other items estimated at P1.36 billion.
‘POLICE SHOULD BE SEEN, FELT ON STREETS’
Asked what could be behind the decline in focus crimes, Nartatez said the PNP's continuing organizational improvements and implementation of its focused agenda contributed to the results.
He said the challenge was to move an organization with around 234,000 personnel toward accomplishing its mandate of enforcing the law and maintaining peace and order in coordination with communities.
For the coming months, Nartatez said the PNP would focus on improving police visibility, patrols and response to crimes.
“We need to have a good patrolling and police operation. The police should be seen, felt on the streets such that nandiyan na sila, kailangan sila at mabilis mag-respond,” he said.
He said police operations and investigations into focus crimes would continue, alongside intensified campaigns against loose firearms, illegal drugs and terrorism.
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