Higher crime rate traced to rising food, fuel prices

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police has recorded a higher crime rate in Metro Manila for the first semester against the same period last year, and this was mainly attributed to rising prices of food and fuel. "The increase of incidents of crime against property is worrying," Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director-General Geary L. Barias told reporters in an interview in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Crime rate has risen by 5%, or 683 incident of crime against property from 650, and 250 incidents of snatching and theft from 110. Bank robberies in Metro Manila rose by 20% to 41 from 34 last year, while car theft rose by 5% to 392 from 375. He said police authorities are doing their best to curb criminality, but admitted that the increasing crime rate during times of crisis cannot be helped. Fuel prices have risen 20 times since early this year, while consumer prices in June have risen to a 14-year high of 11.4%. - BusinessWorld