Malacañang said yesterday that Filipinos are now safer despite the latest Social Weather Stations survey which showed that 1.4 million families were victims of common crimes.
The SWS said 6.1 percent of the respondents said they were victimized by common crimes like pickpocketing or robbery, break-ins, carnapping, and physical violence in the past six months.
The figure is higher than the 1.2 million families or 5.3 percent that reported victimization of common crimes in June this year.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the survey results are identical to the statistic for the same period last year, and is the lowest third quarter figure since 2010.
“Although 0.7 percent higher than the second quarter, this is the lowest third quarter crime victimization reported in recent years, the highest being 13 percent in September 2010,” Panelo said.
Panelo reiterated the administration’s consistent stand that Filipinos are now safer because of the government’s efforts to end criminality.
“Significant strides have been made by the current administration through its war against criminality,
including those related to illegal drugs,” he said. “Indeed, Filipinos now feel safer knowing fully well the government’s stance against criminals and drug pushers,” he added.
The Palace official also said that those who continue to criticize Duterte’s policies cannot accept the achievements of the administration or are connected to illegal acts. “It also becomes clear that those who remain to dissent the President’s policies are either people who are connected with illegal activities or politicians belonging to the opposition, as well as their blind followers, who cannot accept the feats of the government,” Panelo said.
Panelo said that the Palace will not be complacent despite the achievements the administration was able to reach for the past two years. (Argyll Geducos)