NCR, Central Luzon crime rates down since enforcement of “lockdown” – PNP

March 22, 2020

Crime rates in Metro Manila and Central Luzon have significantly declined since the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine or the "lockdown" in the whole of Luzon because of the spread of coronavirus disease, the Philippine National Police said.

Based on the National Capital Region Police Office data, Banac said the crime rate in Metro Manila from March 15 to 20, 2020 has decreased by 67.6 percent to 766 from 2,367 crime and incidents recorded during the same period last year.

In Region 3 or Central Luzon, the police official noted that the crime rate dropped by 80 percent.

"For the period March 17-21, 2020, PRO3 (Police Regional Office) recorded 17 incidents only of focus crime. Comparing this data to the same period of 2019, with 75 incidents, is lower by 58 cases or 77.33%. Comparing this period to the previous week of March 10-16,2020 with 88 recorded focus crime, there is a significant decrease of 71 cases or 80.68%," he said.

"For the period March 3-21, 2020, PRO3 recorded a total of 186 focus crime. Comparing this data to the same period of 2019 with 307 incidents is lower by 121 cases or 39.41%," he added.

The police official could not provide yet the data of crime rates in other region.

Banac also said that so far nine individuals have been arrested and charged for violation of the enhanced community quarantine.

“There were nine (people) who were arrested and charged because of being stubborn and insisting to go out that is why they were arrested by the police and brought to the police station to explain and charged for violation of Revised Penal Code, (Article) 151 or the disrespect or disobedience to authority,” he said.

“In the northern part (of Luzon) more than 100 (people) were questioned by the PNP personnel for violation of home quarantine,” he added.

Banac also denied the reported looting incidents in Metro Manila.

“We deny all of these reports about the alleged looting and robbery incidents in different parts of Metro Manila, and our PNP Chief Police Gen. Archie Gamboa immediately released a statement denying these reports spreading in social media,” he said.

“In fact, as of today, our situation is very good and peaceful, the (people) are staying within their homes except to the essential workers who went out and the delivery trucks for the basic goods and commodities and emergencies, and this is the situation not only in Metro Manila but in the entire Luzon,” Banac said.

“This is why we assure the public that there is no need to worry, because the enforcement or the implementation of our Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine is very good with the help of our front liners the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), PNP and our local government units,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS