PNP: Focus crimes drop 36% in September 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The number of focus crimes recorded by the Philippine National Police fell by 36.05% in September from the same month last year, police said Monday.

The PNP recorded 2,063 cases in September, down from 3,226 in September 2025.

“We welcome this improvement, but we are not letting our guard down,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said at a press briefing.

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READ: PNP logs 41.77% drop in PH crime rates in August 2026

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Focus crimes include carnapping, homicide, murder, physical injuries, rape, robbery and theft.

“The decline in crime must be matched by sustained action against those who continue to threaten public safety,” Nartatez said.

In Central Luzon and Calabarzon, police operations in September resulted in the arrest of 28 people, including two alleged leaders of robbery groups. Police also recovered 20 firearms, 52 rounds of ammunition and seven hand grenades.

The Anti-Kidnapping Group rescued five victims and identified 15 alleged perpetrators during the month, nine of whom were arrested.

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Police also conducted 5,045 anti-drug operations, arresting 5,812 suspects and confiscating more than 96 kilograms of shabu and other illegal drugs worth an estimated P710.66 million based on standard drug prices.

Authorities arrested 979 people for loose-firearm violations and accounted for 6,381 firearms.

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The PNP also conducted 3,140 anti-smuggling operations, resulting in 564 arrests and the seizure of smuggled goods and other items valued at about P1.36 billion.

As of Sept. 30, police had rescued 49 minors involved in cyberthreats and continued coordinating with the Department of Education on concerns involving schools.

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“All these efforts are part of our continuing commitment to make police service more responsive, more coordinated, and more felt by the Filipino people,” Nartatez said./ja