Manila, March 26 -- Central Luzon police on Wednesday said fewer crime incidents were recorded from Jan. 12 to March 23 this year compared to the same period last year owing to the intensified campaign against loose firearms.

In a news release, the Police Regional Office in Central Luzon (PRO-3) said total crime incidents dropped from 7,360 in 2024 to 7,149 this year.

Incidents involving the eight focus crimes - murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, theft, robbery, carnapping of vehicles and carnapping of motorcycles - also dropped from 638 in 2024 to 570 this year.

PRO-3 also reported that its intensified campaign against loose firearms from the same period has resulted in the surrender or deposit of 1,377 firearms with expired lic...