Cordillera recorded 214 rape cases in 2024, 14% lower from 2023 but remains a major concern

La Trinidad, Benguet – Rape remains a problem in the Cordillera region with 214 cases recorded in 2024, according to data from the Police Regional Office - Cordillera (PRO-CAR).

The figure is 14 percent lower compared to the 248 cases recorded in 2023.  

During a recent meeting, Police Major Raquel Alonzo, Chief of the Regional Women and Children Protection Desk (RWCPD), said the drop in cases in 2024 is attributed to the strengthened collaboration between the law enforcement units, partner agencies,  communities, and other stakeholders.  

However, despite the decline, Alonzo stressed that the number remains concerning; thus, more comprehensive efforts are needed to be done.

With that, in response, the police officer said that they will further enhance their implementation of the “Oplan Tagapagpatupad,” an initiative designed to provide proper guidance and response to gender violence and support rape victims in their recovery.  

They will also be coordinating with the various LGUs to formulate ways to address the problem. 

The number of rape cases and how it can be addressed were among the matters discussed during the 2nd Quarter Meeting of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) held on June 9 at Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet. 

According to the Philippine Information Agency-CAR, the meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the police and its partners to continue working together to reduce and/or eventually eliminate sexual violence in the region.

Guru Press Cordillera reached out to the PRO-CAR to find out the breakdown of the cases and which province has the highest number of cases, but no response was provided. The number of cases this year has not yet been reported by the agency.