By Fernan Angeles
CRIME incidents covering the period that most of the country is under lockdown significantly went down, said the Philippine National Police which sees lockdown measures proved effective crime deterrent.
According to PNP spokesperson Bernard Banac, the nationwide crime rate dropped by 55 percent since the implementation of community quarantine in March compared to the same period last year. No “major untoward incident” has been reported during this period, he said.
“Ang ating peace and order nationwide ay stable at malaki ang naitulong ng ating nationwide na quarantine na ipinapatupad,” Banac said.
“Fifty-five percent ang ibinaba nito [crime rate] since nag-start tayo ng lockdown from March 17. So compared sa previous period ay ganito, 55 percent ang ibinagsak ng crime rate.”
Banac’s statement is shy of PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa’s March 31 report hinting at 56 percent drop during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon.
But the PNP noted on an increase in crime rates starting the day the government eased lockdown in most part of the country.