Crimes down during enhanced quarantine: NCRPO

March 27, 2020

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Friday said crime incidents recorded in Metro Manila decreased due to one-month enhanced community quarantine being implemented against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a press briefing, NCRPO chief Police Major Debold Sinas said there is a decrease of 56.9 percent in crime incidents in Metro Manila in the last 10 days.

“Because there are lesser people in the streets, they are all inside their homes. So it’s easy for us to pinpoint those who will commit crimes and they cannot victimize anyone outside,” Sinas said.

Based on NCRPO data  from March 15 to 25, they only recorded 1,903 crime incidents compared to 4,413 in the same period last year.

Sinas said murder went down by 38.9 percent, homicide by 50 percent, physical injuries by 69.9 percent, rape by 71.1 percent, robbery by 51.4 percent, theft by 58.6 percent, stealing of motorcycles by 63.6 percent and stealing of motor vehicles by 80 percent.

Traffic accidents significantly decreased from 2,993 to 507, a reduction of about 83.1 percent.

However, for non-index crimes such as violating  special laws and ordinances, it went up from 1055 to 1250, an increase of 18.5 percent.

Sinas said of the total 112 operations they conducted against those who are hoarding and selling overpriced medical supplies, eleven were arrested.

Metro Manila police arrested 177 persons for violating curfew while 4, 096 were counseled and advised to go home; and a total of 488 were also arrested for disobedience.

For public utility drivers who are still operating despite suspension of public mass transportation, NCRPO recorded 20 tricycle drivers.

Despite the enhanced community quarantine, Sinas said their anti-criminality operations resulted in confiscating P12.8 million worth of illegal drugs and P73.9 million from illegal gambling.

“We are operating on every (illegal gambling) even simple games on the streets because... social distancing is not observed,” he said.

As the local government of Quezon City implements a liquor ban, Quezon City Police Director Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo said those who will violate Mayor Joy Belmonte's executive order will face appropriate charges.

Montejo said the order prohibits people from selling and buying liquor and any intoxicating products.

The QCPD director said together with the authorized local government officials, they will inform establishments and residents of the order.

The one-month enhanced community quarantine in the entire Luzon Island was imposed by President Rodrigo Duterte last March 17 and will end on April 13. Ella Dionisio/DMS