DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- The Davao City Police Office is seeing a sustained decrease in index crimes particularly the eight focus crimes in Davao City.

“Ang mga index crimes are those punishable under the Revised Penal Code like murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, rape, kidnapping, vehicle and motorcycle carnapping,” said DCPO Police Colonel Alberto Lupaz.

Lupaz added that the index crimes cases in Davao City have decreased citing figures from January 1 to May 31 2023 as compared to same period in 2022.

“Sa ating data last year from January 1 to May 31 meron tayong 212 eight-focused crimes recorded in all police stations in Davao City. But right now, from January 1 to May 31 2023 we have only recorded 127 eight-focused crimes which is a reduced of 85 incidents or 40%,” he said.

He stressed that he has been monitoring these eight-focused crimes (murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, rape, kidnapping, vehicle and motorcycle carnapping) from time to time and he is reporting the crime data to the Davao City Peace and Order Council and other command conferences.

Lupaz said there is a sustained decrease in eight focused crimes comparing it to previous years.

Lupaz admitted that these data is shrouded by doubts due to social media postings of increasing incidents of crime but he said these are mostly not confirmed and most are fake news.

“There is a perception that there is an increase of crimes but based on data we are in control of the situation here in Davao City,” he said.

The DCPO chief urged the public to report the crimes to the police instead of just posting it on social media so they can make appropriate action to the case. (RGA/PIA Davao City)