From the foregoing data, the major issues that surfaced are the following:
a. Increasing number of sexual abuse cases in the region;
b. The impact of COVID-19 to the cases of children pending in court and to their
mental or psychological well-being;
c. The impact of COVID-19 to the monitoring process.
IV.
Assessment, Findings and Conclusions
The number of sexual abuses among children in Region 1 remains. Of the twentyeight (28) cases resolved involving minors, twenty-six (26) are for violation of the right to
protection of honor and reputation. Same is also true for other legal services (OLS) wherein
24 out of the 47 involved rape and other sexual abuses on children.
Despite of the strong campaign for child protection and prevention of child rights
abuses, the number of cases still increased. PNP-PRO1 data shows that the cases involving
children almost doubled for the second semester. The 252 complaints received from January
to June rose to 489 complaints. (Please see Annex 2). Still, the highest number constitutes
sexual abuses on children. There were 172 cases of Rape/ Violation of RA 8353, 100 cases of
acts of lasciviousness & other sexual abuses, 43 cases of Statutory Rape, 40 cases of
Incestuous Rape, and 11 cases of Attempted Rape. The pandemic may have a strong role for
the increase of these cases inasmuch as the people are required to stay and observe curfew
ordinances. Domestic violence is taking its toll especially with cases of incestuous rape from
19 during the 1st semester to 40 cases for the 2 nd semester. Physical Injury/ Abuse in relation
to RA 7610 & RA 9262 is also relatively high with 67 cases recorded.
Most of the provinces in Region 1 opted for Modified General Community
Quarantine, (MGCQ). But still, implementation of border protocols remains strict. They
would require Swab Results or even Anti Gen which comes with a price. This has become a
great burden to the parents of the children in Bahay Pag-asa in addition to the JJWC
Guidelines prohibiting face-to-face visits to the Center. The result of the Liham Mula Kay
Tantan would reveal that many of the children are worried or sad. Some of the reasons
mentioned are, “Due to the threat of Covid-19 Pandemic and they worry for the safety of
their families; For not seeing their families for how many months; No visit from family;
Hearing of their cases is taking too long; and Unsure when they will be able to go home.”
We can infer from such answers that the pandemic has a great impact on the mental and
psychological well-being of every child. The „e-dalaw‟ may be the safest and most
convenient way for communication at present but still it is not sufficient for the children.
Due to the pandemic, monitoring the rights of children-deprived of liberty is also
greatly affected. The no face-to-face guideline is a struggle because we cannot really look
into condition of the children and the actual set-up of the Center if they are still compliant
with the minimum standards required by the rules. But we are hoping that no abuse and
exploitation will be done to them especially in this time of crisis.
V.
Recommendations
From the foregoing discussions, the following are the recommendations, to wit:
____________________________________________________________________
Government Center, Aguila Road, Capitol Hill, Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union
Telefax No. (072) 607-8706
Email Add: chr1sflu@yahoo.com
Situationer: July to December 2020
3