Manila, Philippines – One week after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) implemented the Safer Cities Initiative, which aims to reduce the rising number of crimes in the country.
The agency has already recorded thousands of individuals violating the program.
According to the latest data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) from April 6–12, a total of 68, 257 individuals have been apprehended.
Of the total number, 20,804 were caught drinking alcohol and smoking in public places, 6,156 were found walking around without wearing upper garments, and 5,789 were youths who violated the 10PM curfew hours.
Included in the figures are 1,344 individuals who were caught still using karaoke during prohibited hours, while other violations totaled 34,164 cases.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously emphasized that the Safer Cities Initiative is not meant to punish ordinary workers, but rather aims to promote order, discipline, and mutual respect, especially in public places.
He also said that incidents caught on video related to the implementation of the program, which gained public criticism, are currently being reviewed.
Remulla added that they acknowledge some shortcomings and mistakes during the first week of the pilot implementation across Metro Manila.
In the coming weeks, the DILG is set to release updated guidelines for implementing the program, along with new measures including PNP enforcement protocols.
He also said they will ensure that the agency’s operational adjustments in implementing the Safer Cities program will be fair, just, and orderly.
By the end of April, the agency will also release a comparative crime study from 2024 to 2025, which will be compared with 2026 data to determine whether the Safer Cities program is effective in reducing crime.