DAVAO City — Davao City Police Office (DCPO) expressed concern over the increasing number of rape incidents victimizing children.
DCPO director Police Senior Supt. Alexander Tagum told reporters that last week alone, eight rape incidents involving children aged five to 12 years old were recorded, twice the number of incidents reported the other week.
“The suspects are taking advantage of the vulnerability of children because they know children can be easily fooled and threatened,” Tagum said.
Tagum did not provide the exact number of cases where suspects were charged except for these recent cases where seven of the eight suspects were already arrested. However, he said most of the cases were already filed, while in some cases he said families and victims “desisted from filing the case because they are relatives or close friend.”
Tagum added that most of the cases happened in urban poor areas, pointing that criminals have “easier access” in these areas due to the lack of security in homes.
Based on DCPO’s report, a total of 58 cases were recorded from January to September this year, higher than the 54 cases recorded in the same quarter last year.
He stressed that City Mayor Sara Duterte herself took note of the alarming rise of rape incidents during the City Peace and Order Council meeting last week.
The DCPO together with the personnel from City Social Services and Development Office seek to prevent rape cases through the new program by conducting activities to raise awareness among the young.
“If we can empower communities then we can assure that they will report and they will not disregard it. Rape happens because children do not know about the act being done to them,” Tagum explained. (davaotoday.com)
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