DOJ dismisses Duterte's claim, cites 61.87% drop in crimes

On Tuesday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) dismissed former President Rodrigo Duterte's claim during a Senate hearing that drug-related crimes have increased under the current administration.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that peace and order has 'dramatically improved' in the country, citing comprehensive data from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

According to PNP reports submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., recorded crimes dropped by 61.87 percent from July 2022 to July 2024 compared to the period before.

Seven out of eight focus crimes showed significant declines, with theft being the only exception, increasing by 4.79 percent.

Remulla dismissed Duterte's statements as anecdotal and lacking empirical support, highlighting that verified statistics show a decrease in crime rates.

The DOJ stressed that maintaining peace and order remains a top priority for the Marcos administration, committed to upholding the rule of law for all Filipinos.