Speaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday commended the Philippine National Police (PNP) for what he described as “stronger, smarter” policing, citing the significant drop in focus crimes nationwide and the swift arrest of the suspect in the recent road rage shooting in Antipolo City.
He credited PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil for leading reforms that have improved crime prevention strategies and response times, saying these efforts are helping restore public confidence in law enforcement and proving that “the rule of law is alive and working.”
“These results reflect discipline, innovation, and a renewed commitment to public safety. The Antipolo incident, in particular, shows how far the PNP has come in terms of speed and responsiveness,” Romualdez said.
He was referring to an incident along Marcos Highway in Antipolo City, where a heated confrontation escalated into a shooting that injured four individuals, including the suspect’s partner. Police announced Monday that one of the victims died.
The Speaker also commended the police officers for their exemplary performance in promptly apprehending the suspect, identified as Kenneth Alajar Bautista, a 28-year-old businessman.
Romualdez pointed out that rapid action in high-profile incidents like this sends a clear signal that crime and impunity have no place in society.
“When criminals are caught within minutes—not days—it sends a powerful message: there are no safe havens for lawbreakers in this country,” he said.
Latest PNP data showed a 26.76 percent drop in focus crimes—from 4,817 cases between January 1 and February 14, 2024, to 3,528 in the same period this year.
Focus crimes include theft, robbery, rape, murder, homicide, physical injury, and carnapping of motorcycles and motor vehicles. Among these, rape saw the sharpest decline, dropping by over 50 percent.
Year-on-year data also reflect a 7.31 percent decrease in focus crimes, from 41,717 cases in 2023 to 38,667 in 2024.
Former Senator Panfilo Lacson, who once served as PNP chief, earlier lauded the police for the substantial drop in crime, saying the numbers validate the effectiveness of increased visibility, crime prevention initiatives, and community-based policing.
Romualdez echoed Lacson’s commendation, describing the PNP’s performance as the result of “dedication, discipline, and smarter law enforcement.”
The House leader underscored the need to build on this progress, stressing that the government must continue to equip the police with the tools, training, and support needed to keep Filipino communities safe.
“We cannot afford to lose this momentum. Let this be a wake-up call to would-be offenders and a reassurance to every law-abiding Filipino—peace and order is non-negotiable, and the government under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will act swiftly and decisively,” he said.
Romualdez also reaffirmed the full backing of the House of Representatives for all measures that will strengthen the PNP’s capacity and capability.
“We will continue supporting legislation and programs that empower our police force. Every Filipino deserves to live without fear—and that begins with a police institution that delivers on its duty,” he said.