356 domestic abuse raps filed vs cops in 2008

MANILA, Philippines – There are 356 cases of domestic violence against police officers pending before the Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC), an official said yesterday.

WCPC director Chief Superintendent Yolanda Tanigue said the 356 cases of domestic violence were filed in 2008 alone. The nature of complaints range from abandonment or non-support, insufficient financial support, breach of agreement or promises, immorality, physical injury to sexual abuse.

The WCPC has no record of complaints about womanizing, illegal detention, psychological abuse, and threats in 2008.

Tanigue said PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered her to speed up the resolution of the complaints.

“He (Verzosa) wants to fast track these (cases). He knows that in one way or another, these kinds of domestic violence (cases) may affect their duty as police officers,” she said.

“We believe that if a child is deprived of his father’s care and attention, there lies the possibility that he will be involved in other illegal acts like drug addiction, stealing and other crimes,” Tanigue said.

WCPC statistics show that of the 356 police officers, 10 are superintendents, two chief inspectors, eight inspectors, five Senior Police Officers 4, 15 SPO3s, 12 SPO2s, 19 SPO2s, 34 PO3s, 56 PO2s, 175 PO1s, and 23 others whose ranks were not disclosed.

One hundred forty-four of the 356 cases were recorded in Metro Manila, though the nature of complaints were not specified.

The PNP’s National Support Units had the second highest number of police officers who are the subject of complaints for domestic violence with 64.

In Calabarzon, the WCPC recorded a total of 41 cases; 22 in Central Luzon; 16 in the Ilocos Region; 12 cases each in Cagayan Valley and national headquarters (NHQ); nine cases each in Mimaropa and Bicol Region; seven in Eastern Visayas.

There were four cases each in Western Visayas and Caraga; and three cases each in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Cordillera Administrative Region. Two cases each were recorded in four regions in Mindanao, and one in Central Visayas.–Cecille Suerte Felipe, Philippine Star