From January to June 657 battered women seek treatment at CCMC

CEBU, Philippines - At least 657 battered women are treated at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) for the first half of the year and these woman sustained bruises and contusions.

Councilor Lea Japson, head of the committee on health and hospital services of the Cebu City Medical Center, presented the report of CCMC Director Gloria Duterte to her fellow city legislators.

According to Dr. Jo Ann Saniel Reposar, in-charge of the special room for battered women and physically-abused children, the month of March has the most number of battered women.

There were 126 battered women who seek medical assistance at the CCMC in January, 113 in February, 131 in March, 101 in April, 99 in May and 87 in June.

Councilor Gerardo “Gerry” Carillo suggested that the report should also include figures about husbands who were mauled by their wives or female live-in partners.

The country has an existing law that penalizes husbands who maltreat their spouses.

Republic Act 9262 also allows barangay captains to issue a Barangay Protection Order preventing husbands from staying in his own house for 15 days while the case is being mediated by the Lupong Tagapamayapa.

If a battered wife wants to extend the protection order beyond 15 days, she must a petition before a family court.  (FREEMAN)