Friday, July 13, 2007 Rape cases in Cebu City up 1,500%
RAPE cases in Cebu City increased by 32 cases or 1,600 percent compared to last year’s figures, but fewer crimes against persons were reported.
From January to June last year, only two cases of rape were recorded. But in the same period this year, 34 cases have been reported to the Family Juvenile Gender Sensitivity Section (FJGSS) desk of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).
Overall figures on crimes against persons, though, dropped by 27 cases this year compared to the same period last year. Crimes against persons include murder, homicide, physical injuries and rape.
Surprised by the increase in the number of rape cases, Acting CCPO Director Patrocinio Comendador called Senior Insp. Norma Corbo, FJGSS chief, to inquire about the factors that contributed to the sharp hike.
After his telephone conversation with Corbo, Comendador said it could be attributed to the “growing confidence” of victims to report their ordeal to the police.
Not aware
“They are now also more aware of their rights,” Comendador said.
He also believes that the FJGSS’ information dissemination on the rights of women and children and details on who to approach when abused has proven effective.
The highest number of rape cases was recorded in April, when 10 victims reported to the police. Eight cases were recorded in February and March, five in January and three last May.
Crimes against persons for the last two quarters of this year dropped by 27 cases, from last year’s 482 cases to this year’s 455.
Physical injuries was listed as the most common crime against persons with 300 cases recorded, followed by murder with 90 cases and homicide with 31 cases.
Fewer robbery incidents were also recorded, from 338 in the first two quarters of 2006 to only 178 cases in the same period this year.
Theft has decreased significantly by 509 cases, or 56 percent lower than last year’s 913 cases. Only 404 theft cases were recorded in the first two quarters of this year.
Index crimes or those committed against persons and property reached 1,037 cases, or a decrease of 696 cases compared to last year’s 1,733.
Of the 1,037 cases, a total of 707 were solved, indicating a crime solution efficiency of 69 percent. This is higher by 22 percent compared to last year’s crime solution efficiency.
Non-index crimes have also decreased from 709 in 2006 to 558 for the last two quarters of this year. (JST)
