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Emmanuel Tupas - The Philippine Star
June 21, 2025 | 12:00am
Remulla assured the public that the government is working hard to ensure the country’s safety while strengthening its law enforcement institutions, with the goal to support the growth of the tourism sector.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — The government is ramping up efforts to address safety concerns amid the Philippines’ growing tourism industry, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday.
Remulla assured the public that the government is working hard to ensure the country’s safety while strengthening its law enforcement institutions, with the goal to support the growth of the tourism sector.
“For the next few years, next few months, we’ve invested heavily to make the country one of the safest in the world,” he said in a statement.
The department chief said among the government’s initiatives is beefing up the country’s safety through the revitalization of the unified 911 Emergency System, which is expected to be fully operational in Metro Manila, Davao and Cebu.
He said closed-circuit television cameras will be installed every 1,000 square meters in Metro Manila as well as the purchase of additional patrol cars to ensure the five-minute emergency response policy of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is implemented properly.
Remulla urged the hospitality sector to support the government’s initiatives in uplifting the tourism industry.
“We have to work together. We are committed to making the Republic of the Philippines a better Philippines,” he said.
Crime volume down
The crime volume in the country has decreased by at least 22 percent, the PNP reported yesterday.
PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said there were 14,162 focus crimes from Jan. 1 to June 13 this year, which is lower than the 18,280 cases during the same period last year.
It means focus crimes went down by 4,118 cases or a decrease of 22.53 percent.
The focus crimes which the PNP are monitoring to gauge the peace and order situation in the country are murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, theft, robbery, car theft and motorcycle theft.
When he assumed his post two weeks ago, Torre launched the “Cops on the Beat,” a program which intensified foot patrol presence in communities.
Torre said improving safety is not only measured by data but how Filipinos feel secure in their communities.
“We will continue to strengthen our presence in the streets, reinforce our operations against high-value individuals and ensure that no community is left vulnerable to crime or fear,” he said in a statement.
