Manila, Sept. 8 -- The nationwide crime rate dropped by 41.77 percent in August, compared with the same period in 2025, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

Eight focus crime categories registered 2,087 incidents in August 2026, compared with 3,584 in August 2025, representing 1,497 fewer reported cases, according to a news release.

Focus crimes are murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motor vehicle theft and motorcycle theft.

Based on PNP data, carnapping of motor vehicles posted the highest decline at 67.74 percent, dropping from 31 cases in August 2025 to 10 this year.

Rape cases decreased by 58.65 percent, from 769 to 318, while carnapping of motorcycles fell by 53.64 percent, from 220 to 102 case...