The Laoag City Police women's desk continues to process cases of violence against women having recorded at least 15 cases, three of which have been filed in court, from January to present.
PO3 Edna Ulep, head of the Philippine National Police Women's Desk, said cases recorded were mostly in violation of Republic Act 9262 or the anti-violence against women and children and Republic Act 7610 or the special protection on children against abuse, exploitation and discrimination.
Ulep was the resource speaker during the radio forum on Tuesday hosted by the Philippine Information Agency-Laoag in observance of the National Women's Month. The forum was aired over DWFB-Radyo ng Bayan.
“Most women come to us for assistance due to physical, psychological and sexual abuse that they suffer from the hands of their husbands or partners,” she said.
Ulep said most complainants end up reconciling with their husbands or partners after the couple sat down in the presence of mediators.
“We could not pursue a case in court if the woman opts to drop the complaint after reconciling with the husband,” she said.
The city PNP has been conducting random house visits of communities which exhibited a high number of incidence of domestic violence.
Ulep said police personnel are normally assisted by social workers from the city social welfare and development office in conducting lectures on the rights of women and children during the community visits.
