Murder In 2014, the Philippines had 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. 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).
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.
Illegal drug trade Illegal drug trade is
a major concern in the Philippines.
Meth ("shabu") and
marijuana, 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. The Philippine law enforcement agencies face challenges in combating drug trafficking due to insufficient resources, limited investigative tools, and legal restrictions. The Anti-Wiretapping Act of 1965 hinders the use of surveillance, and plea bargaining and asset forfeiture are rarely utilized. Additionally, strict evidence procedures often lead to case dismissals. Despite proposed reforms, legal delays persist, hindering effective prosecution and adjudication of drug-related cases. In September 2021, the
International Criminal Court (ICC) authorized an official investigation on Duterte's anti-drug campaign.
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.
Rape Domestic violence Child abuse The
COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in child abuse in the Philippines. The study "The Hidden Impact of COVID-19 on Children" reported a 32% increase in household violence within the country, particularly in households with decreased income. Additionally, in 2021 from a high-level dialogue between the Philippine government and
UNICEF, the Office of Cybercrime from the
Department of Justice noted a 260% increase in online child abuse reports in the Philippines during the pandemic. This alarming trend, is often linked to job loss, financial stress, and increased time spent at home, leading to cases of parents abusing their children and even livestreaming the abuse. Human trafficking in the country is a
crime against humanity. 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. Nevertheless, enforcement is reported to be inconsistent. While the 2003 and 2012 anti-trafficking laws criminalize sex and labor trafficking with penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment and significant fines (between 1 million and 2 million Philippine pesos), the government's enforcement efforts have weakened due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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. 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.
Corruption and police misconduct Corruption is a major problem in the Philippines. In 2013, during the country's elections, some 504 political candidates were accused mostly of corruption and some of violent crimes. ==Gangs==