Rape cases in Tabuk City up by 20.83% this year; 18 arrests made - PNP-Tabuk data from Jan. to Nov. 2025

Tabuk City - While Tabuk City law enforcers and other agencies are working hard to keep peace and order and made progress in other areas, the cases relating to rape remains a challenge with an increase of 20.83% compared to the data last year.

During the Consultative Meeting for Duty-Bearer Handling Special Cases (These include Child in Conflict with the Law, Children At Risk, Violence Against Women and their Children, and Child Abuse) on November 27, 2025 at the MHotel in Appas, Tabuk City, the PNP- Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of Tabuk logged 24 reports of cases of rape from January to November this year, a bigger number compared to 19 cases last year.

The report showed that 15 of the cases involved minor-victims and nine adults. This situation is similar to the crime category on Acts of Lasciviousness with seven (7) minor-victims of the nine (9) they have documented, showing children are most vulnerable.

PNP-Tabuk successfully made 18 arrests where accused rapists and those accused of acts of lasciviousness were charged in court. Sadly, some cases filed in court were dismissed later after complainants executed an affidavit of dessistance, a sworn statement to formally end a legal case they initiated.

According to Police Staff Sergeant Myla Bocad, they have been putting much effort to lower the incidents on these cases, but one of the challenges is when complainants do not pursue their complaints.

“Nu maminsan ti narigat, adda umay agcomplain and then we tell them we will file the case ngem saan da koma maki-areglo. Adda experience mi adda mangibaga nga awan kanu ti biang min nu maki-areglo da,” said another personnel from the WCPD Section.

Bocad added that effective coordination and collaboration with the CSWDO-Tabuk City will be a great help in fast tracking resolution of cases.

In said consultative meeting, the PNP-Tabuk personnel, social welfare officers, and other duty-bearers discussed their best practices and shared updates about the situation in the city; they also affirmed their commitment to strengthen coordination mechanisms in addressing the aforementioned special cases.

Additionally, the meeting served as a means to orient the participants - which included the City Social Welfare and Development Office, PNP-WPCPD, and other line agencies and offices - on the legal frameworks, protocols, and procedures to make the implementation of their work more effective in relation to protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly children and women.

As regards their regular work, the police officer also said PNP-Tabuk, through the WCPD Section, has continuously supported peace and order efforts in the city by conducting house to house visitations and awareness lectures in barangays and schools.

Most of these activities are aimed at promoting public awareness on gender-related issues to strengthen community involvement in crime prevention and uphold the protection of the rights of women and children.