METRO CRIME RATE UP BY 15.5%

It has been a busy first seven months for criminals in the metropolis.

Crime incidents in Metro Manila from January to July this year rose to
15.56 percent, according to the National Capital Regional Police Office
(NCRPO).

Statistics showed there were 11,154 incidents recorded compared to the
8,868 during the same period last year.

Worse, the crime solution efficiency fell slightly from 94.42 percent last
year to 94.16 percent.

Despite the figures, Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General
Reynaldo Velasco remains unperturbed.

Velasco explained that the increase in numbers can be attributed to a more
effective reporting system like the Hotline 117 of the Philippine National
Police (PNP).

"This goes to show that the public now trust their police. More and more
citizens are now reporting crimes," said Velasco, who assumed his the post
as Metro police chief last July 29.

He expressed confidence that with the "Magic Eye" program already in place,
the crime solving efficiency will improve during the remaining months of
the year. The program, conceptualized by Velasco, rewards citizens who
provide information leading to the arrest of criminals.

Statistics prepared by newly designated NCRPO intelligence chief Senior
Superintendent Gil Meneses showed that of the 11,154 crimes reported from
January to July, 5,441 are index crimes while 5,713 are non-index crimes.

Index crimes are those committed against persons, including murder,
homicide, physical injures and rape, robbery and theft, kidnapping and
serious illegal detention.

Non-index crimes include illegal gambling, illegal possession of firearms,
car theft and possession of illegal drugs.

On the district level, Meneses said the Central Police District in Quezon
City recorded the highest number of index crime incidents with 1,469,
closely followed by the Southern Police District with 1,412. The Eastern
Police District (EPD) recorded the least incidents with 379.

Of the total number of crimes committed, 10,503 incidents were solved.

The total crime volume for the period in review, Meneses said, is
translated to an average monthly crime rate of 14.87 incidents for every
100,000 of the population.

Only 13 incidents of kidnapping-for-ransom were recorded in the period in
review, lower than the 38 last year.

Among the notable accomplishments of the Metro Manila police was the rescue
of sportsman Albert Yam and Pinky Gonzales last April 26. One of the
suspects was killed in a gun battle with police while 11 other suspects
were arrested.

Velasco said car theft remains relatively high in Metro Manila. A total of
1,439 vehicles were stolen in the first seven months compared to the 1,152
last year. Only 332 vehicles have been recovered so far.

"Although there has been an increase in the number of car thefts in Metro
Manila, the NCRPO is vigorously conducting anti-carjacking operations aimed
at neutralizing all syndicates," he said.