A series of rape cases involving indigenous tribe members as victims has alarmed the local police of Quezon in Southern Palawan, which has urged the local barangays to help address the problem.
P/Maj. Lodell Lota, Officer-In-Charge, Quezon Municipal Police Station, told Palawan News they have responded to at least three rape cases of indigenous people (IP) women within a 1-month period
“Hindi pa natin narereview ‘yong buong quarter pero mula ng dumating ako meron tayong case na tatlo – una ‘yong bata, stepdaughter na IP at ‘yong lola na ginahasa ng kaniyang anak,” he said
Lota urged local officials to form Violence against Women and Children (VAWC) and Rape (VAWC) desks in each of their barangays to help address the problem.
“Nga-uusap na kami na ang gagawin naming localized Anti-Criminality Action Plan ay patungkol doon. Initially may nakausap na kami sa barangay na magtatayo na kami ng VAWC desk para sa mga kababaihan sa bawat barangay,” he said.
Lota added that they also launched an information dissemination campaign in July targeted at the barangays.
