The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has deplored the recent incidents of violence against young women as it urged the government to impose accountability and adopt stronger measures to prevent the repetition of “such atrocities.” "These grave cases that repeatedly happen in various areas of the country remind us of the continuing pervasiveness of gender-based violence and how it imperils the lives of young women," the CHR said in a statement. It said the first recent incident involved the murder of a 19-year-old in Cebu City. The victim, identified as Rhea Mae Tocmo, a resident of Panabo, Davao del Norte, was found dead inside a box secured with packaging tape last July 17. The police said that Tocmo might have been tortured and a probe is continuing to determine the motive behind the killing, it said. The second incident involved a missing 17-year-old teenager who was eventually found dead with a bra tied around her neck. The victim, Anna Jean dela Cruz, was reported missing last July 22, and her body was found the following day in a dense area in Barangay Caidiocan in the city of Valencia in Negros Oriental, the CHR said. Also, last July 22, the commission said that 17-year-old Roselle Bandajo was found dead in an abandoned house in Naga City. In Zamboanga City, 17 years old Louella Jaganas Acaylar was found dead in a vacant lot with an ecobag strap tied around her neck. The fifth case, the CHR said, involved a seven-year-old girl who was repeatedly raped by an elderly man. The CHR said that while law enforcers have committed full swing investigations on the incident, the commission’s regional offices have taken cognizance of these cases and have been monitoring the  development and final resolution. "As Gender Ombud, we continue to drum up the expedient need to create a safer environment for all, regardless of gender. We also reiterate the need to strongly implement the Anti-Violence Against Women Act to ensure that all cases of violence against women and young girls are brought to account and to prevent reoccurrence of such atrocities," the CHR said. "Collective action and vigilance from citizens and communities are also necessary to truly cultivate a safe and caring environment for all, particularly for vulnerable sectors, including women," it stressed.