BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-CAR) reported that cases of violence against children in the Cordillera region has decreased this year compared to last year but it still remains high requiring enhanced partnership between the government and community stakeholders.
PRO-CAR Public Information Office Chief P/LtCol Carolina Lacuata shared that 281 cases were recorded from January to October this year compared to the 354 cases logged for the same period of 2023, or down by 20.62 percent.
Of the 281 cases of violence against children recorded this year, rape topped with 115, followed by abuse, exploitation and discrimination with 111 cases; acts of lasciviousness with 35 cases, and serious physical injuries and violation of Republic Act 9995 or Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 with two cases each, Lacuata reported during the Department of Health-led kapihan forum on Nov. 27, 2024.
The Police Regional Office calls for a strengthened partnership with the community stakeholders in ensuring the safety of children and in reporting violence committed against them.
Lacuata shared that the Philippine National Police launched several initiatives to address VAWC and enhance the overall safety of children.
Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) and VAWC Desks are established in all the provinces and cities, and strategic partnerships with schools and local government units that involves conduct of lectures and seminars on child safety, self -protection and reporting abuse are in place.
There are also local initiatives of PRO-CAR such as the enhanced “Implan Pani-o”, a flagship program initiated by the Ifugao Provincial Police Office which has been institutionalized at the regional level.
The Implan Pani-o involves conducting information and counselling activities down to barangay and at the household level, focused on VAWC especially rape.
Lacuata said these initiatives have been helpful in the significant decrease in the cases of violence against children across the region.
However, strengthened partnership with the community stakeholders is desired to further ensure the safety of children and in reporting violence committed against them.
The police officer stressed the importance of reporting cases of violence against children as no child has to experience such trauma without proper interventions.
“If you cannot report directly to the police station for whatever reason or circumstances such as the perpetrator is a relative or known to the family, you can report to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, or whoever you thrust that will accompany you to report the incident,” she said.
Lacuata reiterated PR0-CAR’s call for a whole-of-nation approach where government and the different sectors of society work hand in hand to put an end to violence against children.
National Children’s Month is observed every November, which for this year adopts the theme, “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a safe Philippines.”
Aside from Children’s Month, also promoted during the kapihan forum are Drug Abuse Prevention Week every 3rd week of November, and the 18-Day Campaign against VAWC observed from November 25 to December 12. (JDP/CCD with Kyla Moreno-PIA CAR-SLU Intern)
