Metro Manila index crime rate dips by over 37% — NCRPO

Metro Manila, Philippines – The index crime rate in Metro Manila decreased by 37.06% in February 2025 compared with the same period last year, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported on Sunday.

In a statement, the NCRPO attributed the decline to the reduction of 202 cases under the 8 Focus Crimes —murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, robbery, theft, and carnapping.

Focus crimes are offenses considered as serious in nature with sufficient frequency and regularity.

NCRPO reported that index crime volume fell from 545 cases in February 2024 to 343 in February 2025.

Among the most notable declines are murder cases which dropped by 41.94%, from 31 to 18, while homicide declined by 25.00%, from 12 to 9 cases.

Reports of physical injuries and rape cases both saw nearly 50% decreases, with physical injuries dropping from 57 to 29 cases (-49.12%) and rape cases falling from 91 to 46 cases (-49.45%).

Meanwhile, robbery cases dropped by 33.73%, from 83 to 55, and theft cases fell by 33.62%, from 229 to 152.

Carnapping cases in February also improved as motor vehicle carnapping decreased by 57.14%, from 7 to 3 cases, and motorcycle carnapping slipped by 11.43%, from 35 to 31 cases.

Despite this overall decline in carnapping, the NCRPO said it aims to remain vigilant and eye enforcement of “targeted strategies” to further curb vehicle-related crimes.

“NCRPO will continue, and even improve more, in our efforts to ensure a police force that can be seen, heard and felt by the community. Our goal is not only to reduce the occurrence of crimes, but more importantly to give the community the feeling of safety and security,” NCRPO chief Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin said.