PNP’s Women and Children Protection Center vows to help complainants amid pandemic

The Philippine National Police's Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) on Monday said that it has directed Women and Children Protection Desks to "exert their best efforts" to help people who report abuses.

WCPC chief Police Brigadier General Alessandro Abella made the statement after receiving reports that certain WCPDs were unable to address complaints for harassment and domestic violence, among others, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Though our office has yet to receive formal reports about these allegations, we have already issued another directive reminding the WCPDs to exert their best efforts to investigate complaints, assist complainants to avail of remedies, and adopt measures that would allow complainants to safely report abuses during these times,” Abella said.

He added that the PNP's lower units were directed to “continuously undertake proactive measures to protect women and children, not only from the COVID-19 virus, but also against all forms of abuse, exploitation and violence in this challenging situation.”

Moreover, Abella said the WCPD investigators also encounter challenges such as suspended filing of complaints for preliminary investigation; the limited and cautionary movements; the initial lack of knowledge on online filing of temporary remedies before the courts and shortage of logistics due to the closure of several establishments; and the unavailability of public transportation amid the quarantine.

“Needless to say, we understand that these challenges are not to be made as excuses by our WCPDs to be remiss in their duties,” he said.

“[T]he WCPC and WCPDs continued its daily operation during the community quarantine and demonstrated resourcefulness whenever faced with difficulties.”

Abella also said the WCPC and WCPDs conducted a total of 5,049 investigations, 3,628 arrests with 3,462 inquest proceedings from March 16 to June 15, 2020.

“Be that as it may, we would not turn a blind eye to those who have been neglectful and incompetent in their responsibilities,” he said. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News