PNP Chief Marbil urges balanced crime reporting to prevent public panic

Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil has urged the media and the public to exercise caution when reporting crime incidents, emphasizing the needs of delivering accurate and balanced information.

In an interview Marbil did last Saturday, he said that according to internal data the country's crime rate has dropped by nearly 27% since the start of 2025. "Crime data show that incidents have declined, yet the visibility of certain cases, especially on social media, can give the impression that crime is worsening," Marbil added.

The Chief of Police has instructed police units to strengthen community engagement and highlight both crime prevention efforts and law enforcement successes for a more balanced view of public safety. Marbil also urged journalists to provide context and balance when covering crime-related stories. "This is a reality we must acknowledge and address through proactive communication and responsible information-sharing," he said.

The Philippine National Police has previously reported that crime rate in PH has decreased by 18.4 percent in first quarter of 2025 versus the last quarter of 2024.