Crime in the Philippines

A boat belonging to the Philippine National Police at the Iloilo River in Iloilo City

Crime is present in various forms in the Philippines, and remains a serious issue throughout the country. Illegal drug trade, human trafficking, murder, corruption and domestic violence remain significant concerns. The Philippines has a high rate of murder cases, which is the highest in Southeast Asia as of 2014. Most major cities are plagued with high prevalence of crimes.

Crime by type

Organized crime

Organized crime in the Philippines can be linked to certain families or barkadas (groups) who perpetrate crimes ranging from extortion, sale of illegal narcotics and loan sharking to robbery, kidnapping, and murder-for-hire.[1]

Illegal drug trade

Illegal drug trade is common all around the Philippines, and is a major concern. Methamphetamine ("shabu") and marijuana ("weeds" or "damo"), are the most common drugs accounting most drug-related arrests. Most of the illegal drug trade involved members of large Chinese triad groups operating in the Philippines, owing to its location on drug smuggling routes.

Petty crime

Petty crime, which includes pick-pocketing, is a problem in the Philippines. It takes place usually in locations with many people, ranging from shopping hubs to churches. Traveling alone to withdraw cash after dark is a risk, especially for foreigners.[2]

Violent crime

Violent crime is high in the country; foreigners are usually the victims. As many Filipinos are stricken with poverty, one alternative they take is to kidnap others for money.[2]

Rape

Murder

In 2014, the Philippines has a murder rate of 9.84 per 100,000 people, with a number of 9,784 recorded cases. The country also has the highest rate of murder cases in Southeast Asia in 2013, with a rate of 8.8, followed by Thailand.[3] The murder rate in the Philippines reached its peak in 2002 and 2010, with rates of 8.1 (6,553 cases) and 9.5 (8,894 cases). [4]

Human trafficking

Human trafficking and the prostitution of children is a significant issue in the Philippines, often controlled by organized crime syndicates.[5] Human trafficking in the country is a crime against humanity.[6][7][8][9][10]

In an effort to deal with the problem, the Philippines passed Republic Act (R.A.) 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, a penal law against human trafficking, sex tourism, sex slavery and child prostitution.[11] Nevertheless, enforcement is reported to be inconsistent.[12]

Prostitution

Prostitution in the Philippines is illegal. It is a serious crime with penalties ranging up to life imprisonment for those involved in trafficking. It is covered by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.[13] prostitution is still sometimes illegally available through brothels (also known as casa), bars, karaoke bars, massage parlors, street walkers and escort services.[14] As of 2009, one source estimates that there are 800,000 women working as prostitutes in the Philippines, with some of them believed to be underage.[14] While victims are largely female, and according to the current Revised Penal Code, there are in fact a small minority of them who are male.[15]

Corruption and police misconduct

Corruption is a great problem in the Philippines. In May 2013, during the country's elections, some 504 political candidates were accused mostly of corruption and some of violent crimes.[16] Police misconduct is a known issue in the country; in April 2013, a short video, titled Like a BOSS, showcasing the assault on an unarmed individual by three police officers went viral online, prompting the Philippine National Police to investigate the matter.[17]

Cities with the highest number of index crimes

From 2010-2015, Quezon City leads as the city with the highest number of index crimes.[18] This section contains 5 cities in the Philippines that has the highest number of index crimes from 2010-2015.

Rank City Index Crimes
1 Quezon City 65,514
2 Manila 54,689
3 Cebu City 38,797
4 Davao City 37,684
5 Cagayan de Oro 31,345

See also

References

  • Global Homicide Book 2014 (PDF). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  1. ↑ Kowalzki, Eugene (12 July 2010). "Filipino Gangs in the Philippines". Zimbio. Archived from the original on 14 July 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Crime in the Philippines". World Nomads. June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  3. ↑ UNODC 2014, p. 24.
  4. ↑ UNODC 2014, p. 128.
  5. ↑ "'Chairman' reveals seedy world of trafficking". BBC News. 1 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
  6. ↑ "What is Human Trafficking?". Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  7. ↑ Child Trafficking
  8. ↑ "Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Articles 1 to 33)- Prevent Genocide International". Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  9. ↑ Hansen, Scott. "Japan's Fight against Modern-Day Slavery (Part I)". Archived from the original on 8 March 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  10. ↑ "Cebu a transit point for child trafficking - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos". Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  11. ↑ RONALD ECHALAS DIAZ, Office Manager. "REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9208 - AN ACT TO INSTITUTE POLICIES TO ELIMINATE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, ESTABLISHING THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE PROTECTION AND SUPPORT OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATIONS, AND FOR OTHER". Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  12. ↑ "Revealed: In Cities and Towns All Over the Philippines, Irishmen Pay to Have Sex with Children". The Sunday Tribune. Tribune Newspapers PLC. 2006-09-24. Archived from the original on 2007-05-21.
  13. ↑ RONALD ECHALAS DIAZ, Office Manager. "REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9208 - AN ACT TO INSTITUTE POLICIES TO ELIMINATE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, ESTABLISHING THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE PROTECTION AND SUPPORT OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATIONS, AND FOR OTHER". Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  14. 1 2 "Number of prostitutes in the Philippines". Havoscope. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Anti-Prostitution Bill". Philippine Commission on Women. Archived from the original on July 7, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Sandiganbayan files: 256 poll winners have graft, crime cases; 17 convicted". The Philippines Centre of Investigative Journalism. June 10, 2013.
  17. ↑ Diola, Camille (April 8, 2013). "PNP probes 'brutality' in viral video". The Philippine Star.
  18. ↑ Francisco, Katerina (1 April 2016). "PNP: Quezon City has the highest number of index crimes". Rappler. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
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