The El Nido Municipal Police Station (MPS) has recorded three violence against women and children (VAWC) cases for the month of March. The numbers have been declining since the start of the year, wherein only a total of 4 cases were reported in January, and 3 in February.
Acting Chief of Police Bronson Caramto said that active information dissemination, particularly to marginalized areas, was a big contribution to the decrease in VAWC and other related cases in the municipality.
He added that more and more residents are aware of their rights with regards to abuse, and abusers have become aware of the consequences of their actions.
“Dito sa El Nido, talagang sineseryoso ang information dissemination. Pumupunta kami sa lahat ng mga lugar, lalo na ang mga mahirap puntahan, para i-inform ang mga tao sa mga rights nila,” Caramto said in an interview.
“Maraming mga namumulat sa katotohanan, na iyon pala ang mga rights nila. Pati na rin ang mga nang-aabuso, saka na lang nila nalalaman na abuso pala ang ginagawa nila,” he added.
Amidst the worldwide COVID-19 lockdowns, some countries were reportedly seeing increase in domestic violence cases, as victims were trapped with their abusers all day inside their homes.
However, in El Nido, the low number of domestic violence cases was attributed to the decrease of alcohol consumption among residents.
This is because public gatherings were not allowed during ECQ, and residents were encouraged to instead spend time with their families instead of drinking with friends.
“Marami sa mga kasong VAWC rito, lasing ang abuser. Ngayon at may quarantine, bawal na makipag-inuman, matipon-tipon, wala nang mga nalalasing,” said Caramto.
“Hindi lang VAWC ang mga krimen na nagagawa ng paglalasing. Andyan ang reckless imprudence, aksidente, homicide, lahat. Kaya dito sa quarantine, wala nang mga nag-iinuman masyado. Mas pinipili ng iba na makasama lang ang mga pamilya nila,” he added.
