Bato: more than decline in crime rate, real measure of safety is public perception

The real measure of a country’s safety is not merely in the data reflected in a decline in crime rate, but in public perception.

This was Senator Bato Dela Rosa’s reaction to reports that the crime rate has decreased by 18.4 percent during the first quarter of 2025.

“Regardless of what figures are you going to show to the public, what is the most important to know is the public perception, how does the public feel as far as safety and security is concerned,” Dela Rosa said.

Citing comparative 70-day crime statistics, the Philippine National Police reported that the total cases of focus crimes dropped to 7,301 incidents from January 12 to March 22, 2025, from 8,950 incidents recorded between November 3, 2024 and January 11, 2025.

The eight focus crimes in the country include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and carnapping of vehicles, and carnapping of motorcycles.

The former PNP chief advised the administration to “go down to the streets” and directly ask people whether they feel safe.

“Tanungin mo mga tao. If they feel safe right now with the current situation, then they will give you the direct answer,” he said.

“Mahirap ‘yung mga puro ka lang figures pero ang mga tao ay natatakot, ‘di ba? So dapat puntahan mo ‘yung mga tao, tanungin mo. Do they feel safe. So if safe, then okay. That’s good,” the re-electionist added.

He also said that figures will not matter if people are feeling threatened with the crimes happening in their community.