Christy Balita
Research expert covering the Philippines
Crime in the Philippines - statistics & facts
The Philippines has a moderately high rate of crime, violence, and terrorism. In 2021, the country was on the bottom five of the order and security index ranking across the region. Equally, the Philippines was among those with the highest incarceration rate in every hundred thousand inhabitants. Crime rates were particularly high in poorer neighborhoods and areas with larger populations and higher unemployment.
Most common types of crimes
The number of crimes committed in the Philippines significantly dropped in 2021 compared to the previous year, which can still be attributed to the lockdown restrictions implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the beginning of the year. Overall, theft was the most common index or focus crime, followed by rape and physical injury. These were crimes considered serious in nature and occurring regularly and frequently. Alternatively, reported cases of abuses against women and children gradually declined in recent years, along with cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation. Meanwhile, increasing cases of cyberattacks have been noted in recent years as more Filipinos turn to digital services.Drug-related crimes
The campaign against illegal drugs continued in the Philippines, even after the term of former President Duterte ended. In 2021, the National Capital Region and Region 4-A recorded the highest number of arrested persons involved in illegal drugs. Out of more than 50 thousand arrested drug suspects, about 43 thousand of those were drug pushers, compared to just 400 drug den owner or maintainer. However, Region VII was identified with having the highest share of affected barangays with drugs nationwide.Prison system
With high rates of criminality and limited prison capacity, prison facilities across the country have long been faced with overcrowding issues, in which most inmates were serving sentences without conviction. As of July 2021, there were over 215 thousand prisoners in just 40 prison facilities nationwide. The country’s prison situation was also characterized by high death tolls, with the total tally reaching about 1,200 in 2021.
