54 VAWC cases recorded in Davao City

THE Davao City Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) recorded a total of 54 cases of violence against women and children (VAWC) involving the Philippine National Police (PNP) from 2004 to 2012.

Records revealed that 23 complaints of Republic Act 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004), accusing police members, were referred to the IGDD office last year.

The figure was the highest so far since only an average of three cases each year is recorded from 2004 to 2011. It also contributed to the 1,015 cases total number of VAWC cases reported to IGDD in 2012.

According to the IGDD, economic abuse garnered 659 cases or 64.93 percent, the highest rate from the entire nature of cases under VAWC from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.

Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief, admitted there is a huge chance for police members to be tagged against the complaints due to their exposure to the community.

"But it does not mean walay moral values ang mga pulis. Siguro naa nang findings kay tungod ang mga pulis man gud nagaprotekta gyud sa katilingban," he said in a phone interview.

Dela Rosa said he never ceases to remind his troops to always abide by the law, reminding them that the values of a responsible member of the PNP starts at home.

"If you cannot manage your family, how can you protect the community? Kung gubot-gubot imong pamilya, dili man ka ka-focus sa imong trabaho," dela Rosa said.

Meanwhile, Lyda Canson, chair emeritus of Gabriela-Southern Mindanao, announced on Thursday that around 2,000 men and women will participate in a dance protest to call for an end to violence against women and girls on February 14 at the Rizal Park.

She said it is dubbed as "Davao Rising," a part of the global campaign called "One Billion Rising" headed by award-winning playwright Eve Ensler.

In a statement, Mary Ann Sapar, regional spokesperson of Gabriela, said women from 190 countries have committed to the global campaign.

"The women and men are rising because the violence must stop. One in three women in the world gets beaten or raped in her lifetime," Sapar said. "In the Philippines, domestic violence is a reality that occurs once every 37 minutes. In Davao, there are five cases of domestic violence reported daily."

Canson said instead of bringing placards and yelling along the major streets in the metropolis, they come up with this creative form of protest.

"It expresses grace, anger, commitment to continue the advocacy and solidarity," she said.

She said reported cases of VAWC increased since abused women and children now have the remedy to report it to concerned agencies.

The objective of the dance protest is to strengthen the awareness, according to Canson.

The Davao Rising will be held on the Valentine's Day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Arianne Caryl N. Casas)