Additional cases of abuse in 2015

CEBU, Philippines - The number of abuse cases among children and women handled by the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC) has increased this year, so far.

Hedda Largo, consultant to the commission, said the number of cases reached 140 this year, so far, or an additional 16 cases to the 124 recorded in 2014.

Largo said majority of the cases is related to child abuse while others involve “economic abuse” or wives being deprived of financial assistance by their husbands, psychological abuse, and other crimes against children and women.

She said there are “all forms of abuse” the commission is working against like rape, prostitution, and child sex tourism.

Largo said cases have been filed against the suspects but prosecution is slow.

“Wa pay na-dismiss pero nakatug og gamay (ang kaso). (But) inventory man sad sa mga kaso sa korte, na-lie low og gamay,” she said.

She said there are cases that are on appeal at the higher court, which will take more time.

While there may be delays in the prosecution, Largo assured that the victims and their families are not backing out from the cases.

She also assured that PWC is monitoring the cases constantly and the victims, especially the children, are housed safely in centers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), away from the influence of the suspects.

She credits the help of national agencies like the Philippine National Police for the strict enforcement of lawsthat protect children and women, which has led to the busting of cybersex dens in different areas in Cebu.  Largo said the collaboration has also helped in the arrest of foreign nationals who have been victimizing young girls. — Liv G. Campo/JMO (FREEMAN)