Women’s alliance GABRIELA has denounced as victim-blaming the “Iwas Rape Tips” recently posted on social media by the Indang Municipal Police Station in Cavite, warning that such messaging endangers survivors and shifts responsibility away from perpetrators.

According to the group, the tips urging women to avoid dark places, strangers, and social media acquaintances perpetuate a dangerous form of victim-blaming by placing the burden of rape prevention on women rather than on offenders.

"Instead of running after rapists, the PNP is promoting a backward and harmful mindset that tells women to restrict their freedom and movements," Clarice Palce, the secretary-general of GABRIELA, said in a statement.

She said such line of thinking suggests that rape results from a woman’s choice of route, company, or clothing, instead of from a perpetrator’s decision, most often by men, to commit sexual violence.

“It is an insult to all survivors and a gross neglect of the PNP's duty,” she stressed.

GABRIELA said the tips shared online, including “iwasang dumaan sa madilim na lugar lalo kung mag-isa (avoid dark places, especially if alone)” and “huwag agad maniwala sa mga taong nakikilala sa social media (do not immediately trust people met on social media),” overlook the fact that sexual assault is most often perpetrated by someone familiar to the victim, frequently within the home.

“More disturbingly, this advice comes from an institution itself riddled with cases of sexual abuse and violence against women perpetrated by its own personnel, like the recently exposed Manila police rape case,” the group added.

Palce said the Marcos administration and the Philippine National Police (PNP) should first educate themselves on the root causes of violence against women.

“They should focus on cleansing their own ranks of rapists and abusers, instead of telling women how to live in fear," said Palce. 

GABRIELA stressed that public safety messaging should prioritize condemning perpetrators, promoting consent, and delivering immediate justice, not controlling women’s lives and bodies.

"We demand the PNP retract these dangerous and irresponsible tips immediately. Hold your men accountable! Stop blaming women, and start arresting rapists—including those within your own institution," Palce said.