CAGAYAN de Oro City Councilors on Monday, January 28, sounded alarm bells over the increasing rape cases recorded in the hinterland barangays of Cagayan de Oro.

In his special report, Councilor Zaldy Ocon said he was also shocked upon learning that most of the victims are minors, while the suspects are either their relatives or even their own biological fathers.

"In my simple analysis, perhaps this is because houses in hinterlands are usually single room houses. The living room, bedroom, kitchen, and dining area are without division or doors to separate the area from the other. In this situation, suspects or the family members when drunk, easily commit these crimes," Ocon said.

Records of Lumbia Police Station shows that the number one crime against children is child abuse with 29 cases recorded from 2016 to 2018.

Rape comes next in the list of crimes against children, with 6 cases in 2016, 10 cases in 2017, and 11 total cases in 2018.

But Police Senior Inspector Jerson Estanilla, Lumbia police station commander for his part explained that the increase of rape incidents is a result of their campaign against violence on women and children.

The increased number of cases is good, he said, as more people are coming forward to report to authorities about their experiences.

He said all of these cases are already in court.

Meanwhile, Councilor Edna Dahino pushed to redesign relocation houses. Dahino said in an ideal house, the parents should have a room of their own for their privacy.

"Murag lang bitaw sila ug mananap, nga ibutang ra nimo sa usa ka lugar. That should not be, ang magtiayon dapat naay privacy kay ang tendency, the child will copy the acts of their parents," she said.

Dahino said the City Planning should be involved in the design of the relocation houses.

Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr. said, this is a challenge for the city to step up its campaign in protecting the children.

"There must be massive information dissemination for parents and even minors that crime can happen anytime and what are the interventions so that we can prevent this from happening," he added.