When former President Rodrigo Duterte appeared before the recent Senate inquiry on his war on illegal drugs, he claimed that crimes had risen under the Marcos Jr. administration. He cited reports of rape, killings, and robbery. The clincher, he claimed, was that a drug den was also discovered at the Malacañang complex.
But should this claim be given any credence at all?
It should not, if we are to rely on the data compiled by the Philippine National Police, the country’s main law enforcement agency.
The agency said index crimes from July 1, 2022 to July 28, 2024 dropped to 83,059 from 217,830 during the same period in the first two years of Duterte’s term from 2016 to 2018, or a decrease of 61.87 percent.
Cases of murder, homicide, physical injuries, and rape decreased by 55.69 percent. Cases of robbery, theft, car theft and other crimes against property registered a 66.81 percent decline, from 124,799 to 41,420 during the same comparative periods.
Meanwhile, crime clearance efficiency increased by 27.13 percent while the crime solution efficiency rate rose by 10.28 percent.
“Our latest data indicate a substantial decline in crime rates, underscoring the effectiveness of our ongoing strategies and proactive measures,” according to Camp Crame.
The PNP disputed Duterte’s assessment, stressing the anti-illegal drugs campaign under President Marcos had yielded remarkable results, such as the seizure of P35.6 billion worth of illegal drugs and arrest of 122,309 drug suspects. “These accomplishments highlight the effectiveness of our strategies and reinforce our dedication to combating the illegal drug trade,” it said.
The PNP emphasized that police officers achieved all this while upholding justice, accountability and respect for human life. It has also vowed to continue a balanced approach to law enforcement that combines effective crime prevention with a strong commitment to protecting human rights, ensuring that public safety and the dignity of every person are respected and upheld.
“The PNP stands united with the nation in building safer and more secure communities. Through collaboration with all sectors of society, we are dedicated to fulfilling our mission to serve and protect,” it said.
Then there’s Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who said that Duterte’s “perception of an escalating crime rate does not reflect the reality supported by concrete data.”
“The peace and order situation remains a top priority for the Marcos administration and we are committed to assuring the Filipino people that our nation is on a path toward greater stability and security,” he pointed out, adding that Duterte’s claims were “anecdotal and lacking empirical support.”
How can Rodrigo Duterte claim that peace and order reigned during his administration when human rights groups here and abroad are saying that between 25,000 to 30,000 extra-judicial killings or summary executions took place from 2016 to 2022? This prompted the International Criminal Court to investigate him for crimes against humanity.
He could be held accountable and even found guilty.
