MANILA, Philippines — Public confidence in community safety is showing signs of improvement, with a majority of Filipinos saying they feel safe where they live, according to the latest OCTA Research survey cited by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The second-quarter 2026 OCTA Research survey, conducted among 1,200 adult respondents nationwide, found that 72% said they felt safe in their neighborhoods.
The survey also found that 68% said they were not afraid to walk alone at night, while 54% said they had no worries about robbers breaking into their homes.
For the PNP, the figures point to growing public confidence in its efforts to maintain peace and order.
PNP Public Information Office chief Colonel Allen Rae Co attributed the favorable perception partly to the strategic deployment of police personnel, particularly in places and periods when police presence is considered most necessary.
But the police official also emphasized that the numbers should not be interpreted as proof that crime has disappeared.
PNP: Safer perception does not mean crime is gone
Co stressed that crimes continue to occur and that the more important measure is how authorities respond when incidents happen.
The PNP, he said, is focused on taking immediate action and resolving reported crimes while maintaining police visibility in communities.
The latest survey also showed improvement in the public’s overall assessment of the police.
Trust in the PNP rose to 65%, up from 63% in March 2026. Meanwhile, 63% of respondents said they were satisfied with the PNP’s performance, compared with 61% in the first quarter.
That improvement gives the police organization a stronger public-confidence base—but also raises expectations for continued performance.
Police visibility remains a key factor
The PNP has repeatedly emphasized community-based policing, police visibility and cooperation with local governments as important components of crime prevention.
Its own performance targets identify community safety as a key organizational outcome, with police patrols and rapid response forming part of its crime-prevention strategy. PNP documents also emphasize the importance of police-community relations in maintaining public confidence.
The Southern Police District, for example, describes police visibility, crime prevention and cooperation with communities as central elements of its mission to maintain peace and order.
Research on Philippine policing has likewise identified enhanced police visibility and community outreach as factors associated with more favorable public perceptions of law enforcement.
Nartatez: PNP will not become complacent
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. welcomed the public’s confidence but said the organization must continue working to sustain its gains.
The PNP leadership has pledged to maintain patrol operations, strengthen community engagement and continue efforts aimed at improving peace and order.
Nartatez also framed public safety as an ongoing process rather than a finished objective, saying that police strategies must continually be reviewed and adjusted.
That position is significant because a positive perception of safety does not automatically eliminate crime risks.
The bigger picture
The latest numbers suggest a potentially important shift in how Filipinos perceive safety and policing.
With 72% saying they feel safe in their neighborhoods, 68% saying they are not afraid to walk alone at night, and PNP trust climbing to 65%, the survey presents a more favorable picture of community safety than the police organization has faced at other points.
At the same time, the findings should be viewed as public perceptions measured through a survey, not as proof that every community is equally safe or that crime has been eliminated.
The challenge for the PNP now is turning that growing confidence into sustained public trust.
For law enforcement, the message from the numbers is clear: Filipinos may be feeling safer—but they will continue watching whether the police can deliver when it matters most.
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