Sex abuse vs kids up in Mountain Province

BAGUIO CITY – Sexual abuses are topping the rights violations against children in Mountain Province. 

This despite efforts through campaigns against child abuse by government agencies as well as private groups, said Juliet Saley of the government-run Philippine Information in Mountain Province.

Records obtained from Senior Inspector Ruel Tagel of the Mt. Province Philippine National Police showed that 14 out of 20, or 70 percent of the cases of abuse on children from January to August this year are sexual abuses. 

During the recently-concluded Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) meeting, Tagel reported that out of the 20 cases, nine are rape, five are acts of lasciviousness, four are physical injuries, one is violation of Republic Act 7610 (other forms of abuses), and one for trespassing. 

He said of the nine rape cases, five went to court, two were however amicably settled, one was endorsed to the prosecution, and the other one was endorsed to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development office for diversion.

For the five acts of lasciviousness, two were accordingly filed in court and two were endorsed to the prosecution. 

The other one filed in court was dismissed because the victim executed an Affidavit of Desistance.