Ifugao youth backs anti-rape campaign

LAGAWE, Ifugao -The anti- rape campaign of the Ifugao Police Provincial Office (IPPO) dubbed “Oplan Ammuna” has gained the support of the youth in the province.

Aezle Dumangeng, Provincial Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president recently turned-over to IPPO some 178 anti-rape tarpaulins for hanging in conspicuous areas in the different barangays of the province.

The traps bear the message “Let’s protect our children, have pity and don’t rape them. It will ruin their lives, Stop RAPE” translated in Ifugao dialects. The anti-rape law and hotline numbers of the IPPO’s Women and Children Protection Desk are also included in the tarps for reporting or for queries.

The advocacy materials were realized through a resolution passed by members of IPPO’s Provincial Advisory Council requesting the SK Provincial Federation Office ( SKPFO) to fund the printing of tarpaulins with messages translated in various Ifugao dialects for easy understanding.

“The dedication of our police forces inspired our office to offer what we can do to help. I am a grateful witness of the Ifugao PNP’s tireless commitment and perseverance to address the issues in our province,” Dumangeng said.

Rape is ‘paniyo’ (taboo/ forbidden) in Ifugao culture, and the surge of rape incidence in the province is alarming and unacceptable, she said.

“We hope that these tarpaulins will assist the IPPO’s concerted efforts down to the municipal police stations in the implementation of the ‘ Oplan Ammuna.’ Our office is very willing to extend help to the PNP’s programs and activities for our youth as long as fund is available,” Dumangeng stated.

Colonel David Mariano, IPPO provincial director lauded the support of the SKPFO to their Oplan Ammuna and Oplan Paniyo to help address the occurrence of rape in the province with mostly children as victims.

“Preventing the commission of rape is not only the concern of the police force but the entire community. We are thankful to the pro

vincial SK federation office and to the members of the Provincial Advisory Council for this endeavour,” he said. Philippine Information Agency