Palace refutes Duterte's crime claims, cites PNP data on decline

The Palace on Monday refuted former President Rodrigo Duterte's claim during a Senate hearing that crime remains rampant in the Philippines and suggested an increase in drug-related crimes.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said there is no truth to Duterte's statement, citing Philippine National Police statistics showing a widespread decline in crime.

Bersamin noted that the Marcos administration has maintained peace and order without compromising due process or basic human rights and addressed an incident cited by Duterte as outdated information.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also dismissed Duterte's allegations, saying the country's peace and order situation has dramatically improved with recorded crimes decreasing by 10.66% from July 2022 to January 2024.

Bersamin concluded that under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the country is safer, people more secure, and the future more assured.