INCEST RAPE

Councilor says more mental and health problems loom in incest rape cases

Davao City's rape cases are reported to have incest rape that might cause other mental and health problems to women and children as these cases happened inside their homes.

Davao City Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte, during yesterday's 18th regular session of the City Council, said that “incest rape is a silent unspeakable secret of Filipino families” which should not be.

“This is very unique because this

“This is very unique because this is incest rape, so any sort of police action right now is not enough because incest rape is done inside the homes. Inside our homes are supposed to be safe,” Villafuerte said.

She showed before the Council a data from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) classifying the reported 95 offenders of rape cases from January- June of this year.

Out of 95, seven are fathers; seven are stepfathers; four are grandfathers; 10 are uncles; two are brothers; six are cousins; four are boyfriends; six are friends; one is a co-worker; two are strangers; 13 are neighbor acquaintances; and 33 are having no relation to their victims.

“Many of those I spoke with about this suggests that the increase is probably due to more efficient reporting of cases of sexual abuse,” Villafuerte said, adding that Davao as the most child-friendly city in the country and should do more than just report but institute protective and preventive measures.

Meanwhile, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang said that the data showed by Villafuerte may cause exaggeration and may ‘put Davao in a bad light’.

Villafuerte, however, said that the data could not be “swept under the rug” because the report is already out and the Council should take action immediately.

“Last night, we talked about the SK officer who was arrested, so we want to require to conduct drug-testing.” SK Federation President JAFFAR MAROHOMSALIC