'Tabuk City Gender Based Violence cases drop 11.11% from 2025 to 2026' - PCPT Ginabel Dao-inon

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Reported Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases in Kalinga decreased by 11.11 percent in 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, although differences in reporting and documentation among agencies may affect the figures.

Data presented by PCPT Ginabel Dao-inon, Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) officer, showed that reported cases declined from 18 between July 1 and October 31, 2025, to 16 during the same period in 2026.

The figures were presented during the Provincial Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Their Children (PCAT-VAWC) special meeting on November 4, 2026, at the OPSWDO Conference Hall in Bulanao, Tabuk City.

Despite the decrease in the total number of cases, the data showed a shift in the most frequently reported offenses. Violations of Republic Act (RA) 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, became the leading category in 2026, with eight cases, compared with six in 2025.

Rape cases, meanwhile, decreased from eight in 2025 to five in 2026.

The 2025 data also included three cases of acts of lasciviousness and one case under the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act.

In 2026, one case each was recorded under RA 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, and RA 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act. Acts of lasciviousness also decreased to one case, while no case was recorded under the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act.

Dao-inon clarified that the comparative figures covered cases reported in Tabuk City, while some incidents from other areas had yet to be included.

“Lahat po ng cases ay from Tabuk City. Meron mangilang-ngilan na cases from other places pero hindi pa nakasali sa data,” she said.

The data further showed that victims in 2026 ranged from five to 53 years old, while identified suspects were between 19 and 60 years old.

Of the 16 victims recorded in 2026, five or 31.25 percent were minors, all of whom were students. All identified suspects were adults.

Regarding case dispositions, 10 of the 18 cases recorded in 2025 had been filed in court, four were under preliminary investigation or filed with the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, and four were dismissed after complainants declined to pursue their cases.

For 2026, three of the 16 cases had been filed in court, while the remaining 13 were under preliminary investigation or had been filed with the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.

During the meeting, Atty. Priel Balnao cautioned against interpreting the decrease as a sign that GBV incidents had become less prevalent, noting that new cases continued to emerge across different categories in 2026.

“Relatively, there is a decrease in cases in 2025. Pero sa 2026, andaming bago [cases] sa lahat ng crimes,” he said.

Balnao also pointed to differences in reporting and documentation among government agencies as a factor that could affect the consolidated figures.

He explained that some incidents reported to the police were not reported to the Provincial Health Office (PHO), while other victims who had received assistance from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO) did not report their cases to the police.

The comparative data formed part of the discussions during the special meeting spearheaded by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).

Other agencies presented their respective reports, including the PNP-WCPD, the Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU) of the Kalinga Provincial Hospital, and the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also presented its Anti-Rape Initiative, highlighting preventive activities and measures to address sexual violence and exploitation.

The committee likewise discussed capacity-building needs, agency responsibilities, and coordination arrangements for the upcoming 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women.