Davao City Police Office Director, Police Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum (Robby Joy D. Salveron/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Davao City Police Office (DCPO) expressed concern over the increasing number of rape incidents victimizing children.
DCPO director Police Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum told reporters on Wednesday, October 25, 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 in a media briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
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 at 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 (CPOC) meeting last week.
On October 13, Alma D. Acera, regional secretariat of DSWD Led Inter-Agency Council said cases of sexual exploitation among children also raised a concern to the department.
“The two-year old child was used by the mother in her show in front of the computer,” Acera said, pointing that online sexual abuse and exploitation among children has become the new trend in this digital age.
“We are calling the attention of the parents. We need to be vigilant. These things will not happen if we look after our children,” Tagum said, pointing that parents should not confide their children to anyone.
To combat the alarming rape cases among children in the city, DCPO is eyeing to launch a new program by November dubbed as “Kinder Cop Program” set to reach out to both public and private schools to educate children about the illegal act.
The DCPO together with the personnel from City Social Services and Development Office seeks 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)
