Police record rising rape cases in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, March 8 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) noted an increasing number of rape cases in Eastern Visayas in the first two months of 2017.

Chief Insp. Yasmin Fevidal-Vilches, chief of the PNP regional office women and children’s protection desk, said the region has at least 24 recorded rape cases from January to February 2017. 

Of the 24 rape cases, 10 were recorded in Leyte province, five in Samar, two cases each in Tacloban City, Ormoc City, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar province, and one case in Biliran.

In 2016, the PNP reported 75 rape cases for the entire year.

“I could say that this is increasing because for the first semester of last year, we only had 35 cases, but now we already have 24 cases for the first two months,” Vilches said.

But the official clarified that not all the 24 rape cases occurred this year. 

“There are incidents that happened months ago and years ago, but victims only reported the incident this year because that’s the only time they got the courage to report and file a case,” Vilches said.

Most suspects are relatives of the victims.

The PNP released the report as part of the 2017 National Women’s Month celebration. The event themed “We Make Change Work For Women.” (PNA)
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