The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) disagreed with Philippine National Police’s (PNP) statement that the crime rate in the country has decreased by 36 percent.

In an interview during DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan on Thursday, Aug. 25, VACC President Arsenio “Boy” Evangelista said the data does not match with the current situation wherein reported kidnappings and killings are rampant.

“Ito po ay self-serving at malaking insulto ang sinabi ng PNP na 36 percent ang binababa ng crime rate. We feel insulted po sa sinabi nila na datos. Ang totoong datos natin yung mga nakikita natin every day sa media at social media kung saan left and right ang patayan: crimes against person, crimes against property.” he said.

Evangelista pointed out that the PNP should address the situation and provide its anti-criminality platforms and initiatives, instead of merely providing data.

“Dapat ibigay nila kung paano nila susugpuin itong day and night, left and right nationwide, regionwide breakdown ng peace and order and security,” he added.

The VACC president urged the PNP to acknowledge that crimes are happening and find solutions.

“They should be present sa mga pronouncement sa mga television, sa information through trimedia na parang magbigay sila ng assurance na may ginagawa silang paraan, may ginagawa silang anti-criminality at siguro leadership should be visible sa interviews,” he added.

He also suggested that police should man in the crime-prone areas and the command center should operate 24/7.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Wednesday said that the peace and order situation in the country remains manageable.

He stated that since the start of the administration of the late president Benigno Aquino III, the sum of both index and non-index crime cases has been decreasing.

Azurin stated that a decrease of 45.24 percent is recorded in President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration as compared to former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s time.

While index crimes such as murder, homicide, physical injury, theft, robbery, rape, and car theft decrease to 72.45 percent during the Marcos admin as compared to Duterte’s time.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) earlier expressed its concern with the rising violence and abduction, particularly of female children.

CHR Executive Director Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia in a statement urged the government to be alarmed by the situation and act on the problem to ensure the safety and security of children.