THE DAVAO Police Regional Office recorded more than 600 rape cases in the region from January to December 2022.
Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya hotel, Major Eudisan Gultiano, said of the 604 rape cases, 378 were resolved, and 210 are still in the preliminary investigation stage.
Gultiano said Davao City Police Office recorded the highest number of incidents (193 cases), followed by the Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office (139 cases) and the Davao de Oro Police Provincial Office (87).
Their record from January to December 2022 showed that statutory rape cases comprised 49.50% or 299 of the total, incest rape was 27.65% or 167, and 22.85% or 138 cases were rape.
The incest rape victims are minors from 13 to 17 years old.
“It’s slightly alarming. That’s why we are also requesting help from other concern agencies,” she said. “Mostly, the suspects are closely related to the victims based on the data.”
She cited multiple risk factors that incest victims face, such as poverty, being female, home environment, weather, etc.
“We will look into that so we can address those issues here in Davao Region,” she added.
With the recent launching of Oplan Kilos, the police seek to address the root causes and solicit the help of at-risk families in barangays with high rape cases.
Major Gillian Rose Birondo, Women’s and Children Protection Desk of the Davao City Police Office head, said, “We are already in the cascading stage this afternoon [Wednesday]. There will be a cascading in Los Amigos Police Station because they are included in barangays with many rape cases.
She said the top three barangays with the highest rape cases are Barangay 76-A, with eight incidents, followed by Talomo Poblacion, with five cases, and five in Tugbok.
The other communities where rape was prevalent were: Indangan, Barangay Wilfredo Aquino,
Baliok, Matina Crossing, Communal, Leon Garcia, Ma-a, Sirib, Mintal, Ponciano Bangoy, Tamugan, Bago Galleria, Cabantian, Catalunan Grande, Daliao, Lizada and Los Amigos.
The Oplan Kilos will identify 20 families in high-risk communities. They will undergo a series of training workshops to equip them with the proper tools for identification, prevention, and intervention. They will also work closely with the barangay to improve the campaign’s success.
“According to our regional director, we have to really solve the problem. What is really the root cause and why rape cases are high in the region, what are the instances?” she said.
DCPO spokesperson Major Catherine Dela Rey said the training workshops include responsible parenting, self-defense, citizens arrest, and the legal implications of rape. The knowledge and skills they acquire will be reiterated in their neighborhood.
“We include men in the program because the usual suspects are men. They will be taught about the penalties, sanctions, and legal implications of committing rape,” Dela Rey said.
“They will also be taught about responsible parenting and religious education to inculcate values and moral ethics. With this, they will be more responsible and be able to treat women and children properly. This Oplan focuses not only on women and children but the family as a whole,” she said.
The 20 identified families will serve as the official network of the PNP in the community to report red flags and untoward incidents on rape and other sexual violence, she added.
Those who will be part of the Oplan Kilos workshop are WCPD, social workers, VAWC desk (barangay level), youth leaders, Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, and youth leaders.
