IN RESPONSE to the rising number of sexual abuse and rape cases in Davao City, the Los Amigos Police Station (PS20) has taken a proactive stance by ramping up the implementation of the Davao City Police Office’s (DCPO’s) Oplan Kilos campaign in its area of responsibility.
PS20 station commander PMaj. Elisa C. Ramirez, during the Usapang Pambata: Special Office for Children’s Concern program of 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) aired on May 9, said, “Nagkataas, very alarming ang sexual abuse against sa mga kabataan ug kababainhan. Although padayon ang programa sa kapulisan, atong mga advocacy campaign still kulang pa gyud (Sexual abuse against children and women is increasing, it’s very alarming. Although the police program continues, our advocacy campaigns are still not enough).”
Ramirez, however, remains optimistic that the Oplan Kilos drive, also known as “Kababainhan/Kabatan-onan/Kalalakin-an Igiya Laban sa Pagpanglugos” will serve as a deterrent to these heinous acts, not only in the nine barangays under PS20’s jurisdiction but also across the city’s 182 barangays.
She said DCPO launched the Oplan Kilos recently with all police station commanders, child advocates, non-government organizations, academe, and City Government of Davao officials in attendance.
Ramirez also said they recently held a cascading event of the Oplan Kilos campaign in Barangay Tagakpan, which also recorded sexual abuse and rape incidents in 2022.
PS20 logged eight sexual abuse and rape incidents last year.
She said that during the event, they presented the Oplan Kilos drive to the barangay captains of the nine barangays under PS20’s watch, barangay Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) desks and barangay City Social Welfare and Development SWDO representatives, and members of the academe.
“Gipapasabot namo unsa gyud ning Oplan Kilos ug nag-present sad mi og mga stats ug data (We explained what Oplan Kilos really is and presented statistics and data),” she added.
PS20 also plans to bring the Oplan Kilos campaign down to the purok level.
Ramirez also revealed plans to use the upcoming Araw ng Barangay Angalan, which comprises six puroks, as an avenue to educate residents about the Oplan Kilos campaign and the laws in place to prevent and address cases of rape and sexual abuse.
PS20’s area of responsibility covers Barangays Los Amigos, Biao Guianga, Biao Escuela, Talandang, New Valencia, Angalan, Tagacpan, and Manuel-Guianga. (CIO)