Crimes Against Businesses Report – March 2026
In March 2026, PSA Intelligence recorded 27 crimes targeting businesspersons and establishments. Additionally, a total of 30 incidents related to smuggling and counterfeit activities were reported during the same period.
PSA Intelligence recorded 27 crimes against businesspersons and establishments in March 2026. Among these incidents, robbery and murder accounted for seven incidents separately. Most of these incidents occurred in the Calabarzon region, particularly in the provinces of Cavite, Batangas, and Rizal.
Business owners are advised to exercise heightened caution when dealing with individuals who are not personally known or verified. Transactions involving strangers who express interest in buying or selling high-value goods should be carefully scrutinized, as such interactions are often exploited as a guise for criminal activity. Verification of identities and proper due diligence should be strictly observed before engaging in any form of transaction.
Meanwhile, an incident involving a “gas-and-run” modus (also known as fuel bilking) targeting a gasoline station in Quezon City was also reported in March 2026. A driver requested a full tank of fuel and left the establishment without making payment. This highlights a growing trend of opportunistic criminal activity linked to economic pressures, as the ongoing escalation of fuel prices, partly driven by US/Israel-Iran geopolitical tensions, contributed to the emergence of this type of opportunistic criminal activity.
Meanwhile, a total of 30 smuggling and counterfeit-related incidents were reported nationwide in March 2026. The reported illegal shipments and counterfeit products that entered the country and were intercepted this month amounted to PHP 12.8 billion (USD 210 million).
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