A 30 percent decline in crime has been recorded in recent weeks amid the implementation of the government’s “Safe Cities” initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), according to DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday, April 16.

The campaign enforces stricter local ordinances, including a 10 p.m. curfew for minors, a ban on public drinking, and regulations against shirtless roaming and late-night videoke sessions.

In an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Remulla said that key crimes such as homicide, murder, shoplifting, and rape have significantly decreased nationwide.

“'Yung shoplifting, homicide, murder—lahat bumagsak siya significantly dahil dahil nga wala—mga shoplifting na wala ‘yan dahil nga dito sa mas konting tao sa kalye. Ang rape bumaba rin,” Remulla said.

He emphasized that maintaining peace does not require violence but consistent enforcement of the law.

“Nagagawa natin na wala kang dapat patayin, ‘yan ang importante diyan. Dati ang ginagawang sistema para panakot, papatayin,” he said.

“Ito, ipapatupad mo lang ‘yung batas—simple lang, ipapatupad mo, ipapaliwanag mo, bayad ka ng multa, konti lang naman, titiketan,” Remulla added.

The DILG chief also noted a decline in youth-related gang violence, which Remulla attributed to the curfew keeping minors off the streets at night.

“'Yung mga bata kasi kapag hindi mo inalagaan yan, maggagraduate yan sa inom…shabu, magiging geng geng na ‘yan. ‘Pag genggeng na yan didiskarte na ‘yan. Ngayong nasa bahay na sila, nababawasan yung gang violence sa mga bata,” he added.

While no official data has yet been released on drug use, Remulla said the supply of illegal drugs has dropped significantly, causing prices to surge to as much as ₱7,000 per gram of shabu. He explained that lower supply typically leads to higher prices.

Remulla reiterated that reducing crime does not require lethal measures, drawing contrast with the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign, "Oplan Tokhang" under former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“You don’t have to kill people. Hindi mo na kailangang patayin para bumaba ang krimen,” he said.

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office chief Anthony Aberin reported that more than 72,000 violators have been apprehended across Metro Manila under the initiative as of Wednesday.

Despite its gains, the program has faced criticism following an incident in Mandaluyong City where a man was apprehended for being shirtless while mixing cement outside his home.

Remulla personally visited the man to apologize, calling the incident a “mistake” and stressing the need for discretion in enforcement.

“Pinuntahan ko yung tao, humingi ako ng pasensya sa kanya dahil masyadong ganado yung tanod natin at mga pulis,” he said. “Hindi ko napaliwanag na yung mga nagtatrabaho pwede nang bigyan ng pagpaluwagan.”

The DILG chief said authorities would be reminded to apply the rules with fairness, particularly for individuals working outside their homes.