The Quirino Police Provincial Office (QPPO) recently revealed that rape is the most prevalent crime in the province. In its latest report, a total of nine cases were registered in the first quarter, seven in the second quarter, nine in the third quarter, and two were registered as of November 2023.
What aggravates the situation is that some of the cases involved minors and based on the police investigations, the perpetrators were their relatives who were either under the influence of liquor or out of their mind when they committed the crime.
In one of the quarterly Provincial Peace and Order Council meetings, Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua, council chair, requested the Quirino State University and the Team EMBRACE or Empowering Movement for a Better Reintegration and Advocacy in a Caring Environment to conduct a study on the root cause of rape and to recommend some intervention to curb the proliferation of rape cases in the province.
Using various research tools, the University and Team Embrace deployed researchers in places with rape cases and interacted with victims and their families. The group also studied the environment where they are living.
Initial findings were discussed with the governor together with concerned agencies such as the Philippine National Police, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and others.
Also, a series of meetings are being conducted to lay down some needed new interventions and validate the effectiveness of programs and projects being implemented to address the said crime.
Saguday town police station chief, Maj. William Agpalza said they have recorded one rape case in the municipality since he assumed the post as the town’s police chief a few months ago.
“So far, maganda naman yung interventions natin and during my time na ako na yung chief of police, nakapag-award tayo ng isang “kwarto ni Neneng” hindi lang pala kwarto yon kundi buong bahay. Parang buong bahay yung pinagawa ni Mayor Jerry Pagbilao doon sa Brgy. Cardenas at isang bata ang mapalad na nabiyayaan,” Agpalza said.
“Kwarto ni Neneng” is a joint project of the QPPO, the six municipal stations, two Mobile Force Companies as well as the provincial and municipal advisory groups. It aims to provide poor children and teenagers with their rooms to protect them from possible abuse.
Agpalza added that barangay and school visits are also regularly held to maintain communication with parents, guardians, teachers, and the children, stressing the importance of increased police visibility, foot patrols, and checkpoints to preempt would-be criminals.
“We also maximize social media platforms to remind the people especially the women and the children to beware and don’t just trust strangers,” Agpalza said.
The chief of police also shared that if the factors of crime such as opportunity, capability, and desire are present, there will be a crime.
Admitting that rape happens because there are perpetrators and not because of what the would-be victims wear, COP Agpalza however remind the women and children to never allow the would-be perpetrators to victimize them.
Agpalza also said community awareness on the prevention of rape cases is very important stressing the big role of the community in crime prevention.
He said by recognizing the big role of the community, the government’s programs and projects will be thoroughly communicated and there will be a greater chance of success. (OTB/TCB/PIA-2, Quirino)
