Virac, Catanduanes – The Department of Justice (DOJ) in the province of Catanduanes confirmed that rape cases are alarming, making it the top filed case in court in 2022 and continuing into the first quarter of 2023.
Based on the data presented by spokesperson Atty. Pamela Joy Herrera-Sanchez, Associate Provincial Prosecutor, they have filed a total of 1,648 counts of rape in court, along with 777 violation of child protection cases involving acts of lasciviousness.
Out of these figures, 99% of the victims are minors, and a majority of the accused are relatives of the victims.
Meanwhile, in 2022, the town of Caramoran had the highest number of rape cases at 1,598, followed by Virac (750), San Andres (22), Viga (18), and Panganiban (13).
In the first quarter of 2023, the town of San Andres had a notable increase in cases, trailing behind San Andres town.
In total, their office has filed over 2,300 cases of rape and child abuse.
In connection with this, Sanchez appealed to the victims of such crimes not to be afraid and to immediately report the incidents to the authorities, particularly the police, social workers, and barangay officials, in order to hold the suspects accountable.
She also mentioned that the services of the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor for abuse victims are free of charge. She reminded parents to closely watch over their children to prevent such abuses from happening. (Bicol Peryodiko News Team/FB/Pat Yutan)
