THE DAVAO City Police Office has raised awareness in the barangays and increased patrols to deter criminal acts such as rape in “under-supervised areas.”
DCPO spokesperson Police Major Catherine Dela Rey said that city director Col. Alberto Lupaz has already given the double directive, especially for the newly graduated patrolman and patrolwomen.
“Gipa-intensify nato ang atong patrollers and of course, dili man gyud ma cover sa police ang tanang area, so gina-tap pud nato ang mga barangay tanod (We intensified our patrollers and of course since the police cannot cover everything, we also tapped our barangay tanods),” Dela Rey said.
The DCPO is currently at phase 1 of OPLAN Kilos, consisting of barangay advocacy programs.
Dela Rey said they stress the importance of early reporting in their information dissemination campaign against rape in the barangays.
“Kung late reporting, mangita pata ana kay maghulat pata og warrant of arrest. Unlike kung immediate reporting dakpon dayon, inquest proceeding, kulong dayon, dako ang posibilidad nga dili na makapambiktima pa ang suspect (With late reporting, it will take time to look for the suspect because we need a warrant of arrest. Unlike immediate reporting when we can make an arrest, conduct inquest proceeding and immediately detain the suspect so they won’t victimize again),” De la Rey said.
Meanwhile, she also emphasized that children should know about the “good touch” and “bad touch” even from family members.
City Social Welfare Development Office OIC Julie Dayaday stressed the importance of knowing the type of inappropriate touches because, based on her experience at Balay Dangupan, a CSWDO facility for the victims of rape, she could verify that suspects are primarily parents, siblings, and relatives.
She likewise said that most of these children were “groomed” by their family members into thinking that sexual acts and lascivious touches are okay.
Dayaday also said the rise in rape cases might be due to the lessened restrictions and resumption of face-to-face interactions in the community.
“Naa man gud ta sa pandemic two years. Walay chance nga makasulti pag naa gani sa sulod sa balay. Ang atong perpertrators naay hulga, walay lain mainstoryahan pati ang mother (We were in pandemic for two years. There was no chance for them to share their ordeals, even to their own mothers, due to the threat from the perpetrators),” Dayaday said.
The CSWDO will bring back its advocacy programs against rape and tailor the message to “suit this generation”.
She said they also advocate the responsible use of social media, which could also be a factor in perpetuating sexual violence.
Dayaday also assured the victims that the local government has programs in place to support their recovery. For instance, Balay Dangupan has eight success stories of rape victims who, through the city’s help, are now licensed professionals in their fields, well-integrated into the community, and inspire those currently housed in the facility.
