THE Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) in Eastern Visayas reported a drop of 31.13 percent of incidents of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) in 2022 compared to 2021.

Records show a significant decrease of 146 in VAWC cases from January to May 2021 as compared to those recorded from January to May 2022, according to WCPD head Major Analiza Armeza.

“Our WCPD and the entire police force remain steadfast in protecting the welfare of the public especially involving the women and children who deserve to be given value and importance,” added police regional director Brigadier General Bernard Banac.

In Violence Against Women (VAW), the offenses recorded were relative to cases on Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children or Republic Act 9262.

For Violence Against Children (VAC), the offenses recorded were relative to cases of rape.

The Police Regional Office also maintained a “notable” crime solution efficiency of 32.50 percent and 99.38 percent crime clearance efficiency.

The top-performing police provincial offices and city police offices in terms of crime solution efficiency were Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) with 56.09 percent, followed by Ormoc City Police Office (Ocpo) with 45.45 percent, and Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO) with 29. 54 percent.

On crime clearance efficiency, Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO), Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO), and Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office (SLPPO) were among the top performers with 100 percent efficiency, according to the police regional command.

Banac urged the public “to report to proper authorities any kind of harm or violations committed against them and to not hesitate to exercise their rights.” (SunStar Philippines)