Action plan set vs rape increase

A Family Crisis Forum is set in August to discuss an action plan to mitigate domestic-related crimes.

Governor Nestor Fongwan said the August forum will particularly address incest and rape-related crimes in the province.

“We want to attack the problem,” said Fongwan.

Cordillera police reported a surge in rape cases for the province with 13 cases reported from January to March this year, topping the regional count by 39 percent.

Baguio City and Ifugao came in second with six cases garnering 12 percent, while Abra logged eight cases with 17 percent, followed by Apayao with four cases, Mountain Province with two and a lone case in Kalinga.

Fongwan said the forum will not invite typical speakers to discuss the Children workers act but it is also aimed to give solid solutions to the problem.

Rape and sexual abuse were reported in Benguet with the case of Captain Danilo Lalin of the Philippine Army raped a minor from Mankayan cited.

Fongwan said that to date, the Benguet team is zeroing in on problematic areas where the incidents are occurring, taking the cue from there to the next step.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has likewise been called to help find a solution to the problem. (Ma. Elena Catajan)