TACLOBAN CITY -- Rape cases in Eastern Visayas dropped significantly by 19.76 percent in 2022, according to a report by the Women and Children's Protection Desk.
A total of 341 rape cases were recorded in 2022, which is lower than 425 rape incidents reported in 2021.
Police Regional Office 8 Director, Brig. General Rommel Francisco Marbil attributed the decrease to the combined efforts of the agency and other counterparts advocating for women’s protection against various forms of violence.
Brig. General Marbil at the same time directed all the Philippine National Police field stations to double their efforts in preventing all kinds of abuses against women and children.
“We cannot do this alone,” he said as he sought the support and cooperation of the public, especially in reporting violence committed against women and children.
“I encourage women and children to be well informed and to assert their rights, as we are one with them in our fight for a VAWC-free community," added BGen. Marbil.
Marbil said PRO 8 WCPD continues to conduct information drives through conferences, lectures, seminars, and training on special laws that protect women and children, and house-to-house visits.