Crime rate rose during the suspension of “Oplan Tokhang,” says Malacañang citing SWS survey

(Eagle News) — Malacañang said that the two-month suspension of “Oplan Tokhang” and “Oplan Double Barrel” has resulted in a rise in the crime rate in the first quarter of 2017.

“The First Quarter 2017 (of a Social Weather Station) survey showing 6.3 (percent) of families lost to street robbery, burglars (break-ins), or carnappers within the past six months, validates earlier reports showing an increase in crime after the Philippine National Police suspended Oplan Tokhang and Project Double Barrel last January,” Abella said in a statement.

“The temporary suspension of police anti-drug operations proved to be a window of opportunity for illegal drug violators to engage in burglary and car theft,” he added.

According to the result of the SWS survey, the crime rate in the first quarter of 2017 reached 6.3 percent or an estimated 1.4 million families in the past six months.

The SWS interviewed 1,500 respondents, using sampling error margins of ±3 percentage points for national percentages, ±4 percentage points for Balance Luzon, and ±6 percentage points each for Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao.