Domestic abuse against women in Palawan rose by 10 percent in 2018, based on recently revealed data by the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of the provincial police.
Police Major Baby Jane Comosa, chief of the WCPD of the Palawan Provincial Police Office (PPPO), said last week that their office recorded 55 cases of women abuse in 2018 compared to 50 cases in 2017.
She said most of the complaints filed to the WCPD by women who experienced violence last year were against husbands or partners.
“Bumaba po tayo last year sa physical abuse. Kadalasan ganyan talaga ang complaint na natatanggap natin sa opisina, konting-konti lang ang sa economic abuse,” Comosa said.
At the Puerto Princesa City Police Office (PPCPO), WCPD chief Police Captain Pearl Manyll Lamban-Marzon said most of the complaints they received in 2018 involved economic abuse.
Economic abuse complaints, she said, are mothers complaining about lack of support from the fathers of their children.
“Sa city konti na ang physical abuse. Dumarami ay ang economic abuse, ‘yong financial abuse ang habol. Pero sa level namin, hindi kami nagpa-file ng case. Usually, dinadaan ‘yan sa city social welfare dahil bawal sa side namin ang mag-settle or mag-initiate ng agreement between parties,” Marzo said.
Abigail Ablaña, chief of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PCSWDO), explained that in the province, economic abuse complaints are mediated by validating the income of the husbands or partners before they make any advice.
She said cases are normally resolved when both parties agree to make a compromise agreement.
“Pumupunta sila sa amin para mag-reklamo, we invite both parties para ma-validate kung ano ang means of income ng lalaki. Kapag hindi nag-appear ang isa sa kanila doon na ang legal na hakbang but usually nag-a-appear naman,” Ablaña said.
