Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga – The Philippine National Police (PNP) continues to post a significant reduction in crime incidents nationwide, with PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III reporting a 7.75 percent decline in overall crime incidents from August 2024 to June 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. Cases dropped from 192,677 to 177,735, reflecting the sustained impact of intensified anti-crime measures across the country.
In Central Luzon, the downtrend is even more pronounced. Since the assumption of PBGEN Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr. as Regional Director of Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) on June 20, 2025, the region has recorded a nearly 16 percent drop in focus crimes. Comparative data from June 20 to August 15, 2025, shows 495 cases, down from 588 in the same period last year—a 15.82% decrease.
The sharpest reductions were recorded in:
Physical Injuries – down by 25 cases or 46.3%
Rape – down by 25 cases or 26.04%
Murder – down by 15 cases or 31.91%
Motor Vehicle Carnapping – down by 4 cases or 50%
Province-wise, Aurora PPO posted the highest percentage drop at 64.29%, followed by Zambales PPO with 44.44%, and Tarlac PPO with 35.56%.
Aside from the decline in crime rates, PRO3’s intensified manhunt operations resulted in the arrest of 1,326 wanted persons, including 319 Most Wanted Persons (MWPs) and 1,007 Other Wanted Persons (OWPs). The recovery of 260 loose firearms during the same period further reinforced public safety and community security.
attributed these accomplishments to intensified police visibility, strengthened community engagement, and the swift implementation of crime prevention strategies—all in line with the guidance of PNP Chief PGEN NICOLAS D. TORRE III and PRO3’s strategic direction of protecting the people, pursuing peace and order, and promoting professionalism.
“These numbers reflect the hard work, discipline, and dedication of our men and women on the ground. Guided by the leadership of PNP Chief PGEN TORRE III, we will continue to work closely with the community and all stakeholders to sustain this downtrend and address emerging crime concerns,” PBGEN PEÑONES JR. said.
The PRO3 chief further emphasized that proactive operations, timely intelligence sharing, and strong community partnership remain the cornerstone of PRO3’s continuing campaign for peace and order in Central Luzon.
