BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong here has ordered concerned agencies to curb the rising cases of rape and child abuse in this city.
Magalong said 15 rape cases had been recorded here from January to May this year, a sharp increase from last year’s five cases.
To address the problem, he tasked the City Social Welfare and Development Office headed by CSWD Officer Betty Fangasan and Baguio City Police Office under Police Col. Glenn Lonogan to intensify existing programs and implement new strategies to address the problem.
Fangasan said they will drum up the monitoring and reporting system of such incidents especially on the barangay level through collaboration with barangay officials and the community.
Fangasan had earlier reported child abuse cases considerably increased with 71 cases, including rape incidents, reported from January to June this year, compared to 76 posted for the whole of 2020.
Most of the incidents happened in the homes with family members and neighbors as perpetrators.
“We appeal to the public to be vigilant in spotting child abuse cases in their neighborhood and in reporting them at once to the concerned authorities so that appropriate actions can be undertaken,” she said.