By Jennifer P. Rendon
Almost a third of rape cases that happened in Western Visayas amid community quarantines against COVID-19 were perpetrated by persons who are closely related to the victims.
Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 indicated that 307 rape incidents were reported from March to September 2020.
The number, though, is lower compared to 403 cases in the same period last year.
Of the 307 cases, 99 are either incest (21 cases), or committed by a husband/lover (11 cases), and relative (67 cases).
Also, 231 cases (42.67 percent) of rape cases were committed by other persons known to the victim.
Only 77 incidents had strangers as suspects.
As to the place of occurrence, 221 cases happened at either the victim’s or the suspect’s residents while only 86 are lumped as “other places.”
Negros Occidental reported the most number of rape cases at 98; followed by Iloilo province with 80; Capiz with 29; Aklan with 25; Antique and Bacolod City with 23 each; Iloilo City with 20; and Guimaras with 9.
Negros Occidental also logged the most number of incest rape at 12 while Iloilo province registered the most number of rape committed by husband/lover and relative.
PRO-6 records also showed that majority of the rape incidents are committed by force, threat, or intimidation.
Of the 307 cases recorded, 237 incidents were done through force.
Thirty-three cases are considered as statutory rape; nineteen were deprived of reason or were unconscious (e.g., under the influence of liquor); seven were committed with grave abuse of authority; five through fraudulent machinations; four incidents were done because of fetishism; and a lone case each was dubbed under gang rape and gang/party rape.
PRO-6 recorded that 222 of the 307 cases were committed with no underlying factor as observed.
On the other hand, 85 cases were committed because the suspects were drunk while one case was allegedly perpetrated because the suspect had a history of drug use.
Of the 307 cases, only 33 (10.67 percent) were considered as unsolved while 169 are cleared and 105 are solved.
By cleared, it could mean that the case was filed in court, there was at least one suspect identified, but none was captured.
If a crime is solved, it means a case has been filed in court, and that at least one suspect has been arrested.
While the number of rape cases continue to go down, Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson, said they continue to initiate intervention efforts to further reduce the incidents.
These interventions include training of investigators designated as WCPD (Women and Children’s Protection Desk) officers like specialized course for WCPD officers, TIP (trafficking in persons) Investigation Seminar, and refresher courses.
WCP desks all over the region also continuously conduct advocacy activities; coordinate/collaborate with other agencies; conduct of QDA to address cases of rape; and conduct of training of barangay VAW (violence against women) desks.
