THE Women and Children Protection Unit of Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) reported a total of 638 cases of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) in 2016.
Police Senior Inspector Mercedes Bucalen said the cases saw significant drop compared to the 878 cases in 2015.
Among the 638 cases, there were 564 cases, which fall under violations of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children.
Bucalen said in 2016, 76 cases were filed in court with one is still under investigation.
The police officer explained the drop in the number of cases was due to awareness campaigns of groups dennouncing any form of violence.
“Hindi na sila natatakot na magsumbong sa ating office, it shows na mataas ang result dahil tumaas na rin ang awareness nila na magsumbong,” Bucalen said.
“Kapag may pumunta sa office at kailangan na ang medical assistance ay hinahatid na namin sa BGHMC,” Bucalen said.
Bucalen said most of the perpetrators are family members, partners, or friends.
“May iba na nahuhuli kung naireport na agad ang pangyayari, pero kung nangyari nang matagal o kahapon at inireport lang sa amin ngayon ay wala na o nakatakas na yung suspect,” Bucalen said.
But despite their effort to arrest all VAWC offenders, Bucalen said they are faced with the problem of lack of personnel.