The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo has passed a resolution urging mayors to take action to curb the number of rape cases in the province.
Second District Board Member June Mondejar, sponsor of the resolution, said the mayors should initiate programs and measures to prevent all forms of sexual abuse in their respective towns.
From January to June this year, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) recorded 50 cases of rape.
The province had 143 rape cases last year. The number was lower compared to 194 and 183 cases in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The victims mostly belonged to the 13-17 age group while suspects were mostly between the ages of 18 and 35.
Mondejar said many of the cases were incestuous rape or rape committed by someone who has a close relationship with the victim such as a father, a stepfather, and a cousin.
IPPO recorded five cases of incestuous rape in the fist six months of 2019, 33 last year, 21 in 2017, and 10 in 2016. IMT
