Over 18K violence against children cases reported in 2023 —PNP

A total of 18,756 cases of violence against children were reported in 2023, according to the Philippine National Police on Friday.

Police Major Meriel Editha Reyes, assistant chief of the PNP Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Division and Children Protection Center, said most of the cases were child abuse with 7,933 reported incidents; followed by rape with 7,262 cases; and acts of lasciviousness with 2,049.

While the number of cases was lower than 19,101 incidents reported in 2022 and 19,656 reported in 2021, the police official said they were not happy with the data they gathered.

“Hindi kami natutuwa na ganito kataas ang datos na nage-generate namin. Sana for 2024 ay bumaba ang cases dahil marami ang effort ng bawat ahensiya upang mawakasan ang karahasan sa mga bata,” Reyes said in a press conference for the 32nd National Children’s Month.

(We are not happy with the data generated by our system. We hope that there will be a lower number of cases in 2024 because we know that every government agency is working to stop the violence against children.)

She said they established women and children’s protection desk in every police station and have been conducting awareness program in schools, universities, and offices to inform the public about violence against children and encourage them to report these incidents to authorities.

Reyes said most of the complaints filed with their office have been brought to the court.

“Malaking porsyento ang nagtuloy. Walang ibang dapat na usapin pa pagdating sa violence against children,” she said.

(Most of the complaints were filed before a court. There should be no other discussion when it comes to violence against children.)

During the press conference, the Council for the Welfare of Children reiterated its call to end violence against children.

“Child protection starts at home. Parents, grandparents, and relatives are at the forefront of the government’s fight against violence against children,” said CWC Executive Director V Undersecretary Angelo Tapales.

The CWC said the main key strategies for eradicating VACs in the country were realizing plans for children, strengthening and enacting key legislations, promoting social behavior change, and engaging with multi-sectoral partnerships.

In a video message shown during the press conference, Senator Risa Hontiveros,  chairperson of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality, stressed the need to protect the rights of the children.

“Kailangan talaga natin ipagpatuloy ang ating pag-uusap tungkol sa karapatan ng mga bata, lalo na’t mas kinakailangan nila ng proteksyon ngayon sa dami ng banta sa kanilang kagalingan,” she said.

(We really need to continue our discussions on the rights of children, especially since they need our protection now more than ever because of the increased threats on their welfare.)

“If we evolve to recognize that we need to take care of our children, then we must continue to show this humanity by passing this law, which I hope will make every Filipino child safe and looked after,” she added.

The CWC that it is working with the concerned government agencies for the passage of the proposed Magna Carta on Children before the 2025 elections.

The bill is set to be assessed by the House committee on ways and means while it is still pending with the committee led by Hontiveros.  

“Pinagdadasal po nating lahat na gagalaw po ‘yan at gagawin po nila lahat ng makakaya na baka by early 2025, ito ay maipasa po ng ating House of Representatives at Senado na magkatulong po,” said Tapales.

(We are all praying that there will be a development and that they will do everything they can to pass this by early 2025.)

The Magna Carta on Children seeks to amend Presidential Declaration 603 signed by former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. or the Child and Youth Welfare Code.

“Ang future natin ay nasa kamay ng mga bata. Turuan po natin sila ng tamang pamamaraan. Sila po ang susunod na henerasyon. Sila po ang susunod na mga magulang na magtitigil ng mga bagay na di po natin kayang itigil,” Tapales said.

(Our future is in the hands of the children. Let us all teach them the right way. They are the next generation. They are the next parents that can stop the things that we cannot.)

The CWC also thanked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for his interest and focus in eradicating VACs, particularly sexual abuse, online and offline, and trafficking.

“We’re off to a good start. Sana po ay talagang magtuloy-tuloy. Hindi po kaya ng gobyerno ang lahat ng ito, (We should keep going. The government can’t do this alone),” Tapales added.

With the theme “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines,” the CWC scheduled different activities from November 9 to 29 to celebrate the National Children’s Month.—AOL, GMA Integrated News