Davao mayor acknowledges rape cases, says intervention program has been in place

DAVAO CITY Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has acknowledged that the city has the highest number of rape cases among major cities in the country, but stressed that the local government and partner agencies have been implementing an intervention program to address the problem. “This fact has been taken up in the Davao City Peace and Order Council in 2017, where it was discovered that many of these cases were incestuous rape or rape by someone who has a close relationship with the victim such as a neighbor or a friend,” Ms. Carpio said in a statement over the weekend. The Davao City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) was tasked to conduct research and lead the implementation of programs. “One of these interventions, and the most effective of which, targeted communities where children are taught about sexuality and sexual abuse, including when a touch by a family member is no longer appropriate and acceptable,” she said. Davao City Police Director Alexander C. Tagum said “the CSSDO-led interventions resulted in a significant drop in the incidence of rape cases from 120 in 2017 to 95 in 2018, both in the same period of January to June.” Ms. Carpio, daughter of the President, said this positive effect of local government action “should not be lost in the repertoire of the President and the attacks by those who hate President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s guts and humor.” — Carmencita A. Carillo