Senator Loren Legarda has filed a resolution seeking a legislative inquiry into the recent spate of rapes involving children.
Legarda raised concerns over the alarming increase of child rape cases, noting that many of the perpetrators were either relatives of the victims or trusted persons.
“We need to find out whether our current laws are enough or are even being properly implemented to punish the guilty, protect the victims, and empower the state to help the victims recover anew,” the senator stressed.
Earlier, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) released a statement strongly condemning reported rape incidents involving minors.
The CHR viewed the cases as a serious violation of human rights, and stressed the need for effective protective measures for children.
According to the Child Protection Network Foundation, Inc. (CPN), 2,890 of the 4,079 child violence cases reported from January 1 to May 26, 2024, were sexual abuses or assaults.
“We are seeking for Congress to pass Senate Bill No. 2401, which we filed, to institutionalize the establishment of Women and Children Protection Units in all government hospitals,” Legarda said.
“We are also seeking to assess if the substantial amount spent regularly on gender issues is making a significant impact on the most critical issues on gender and child rights,” she added.
Legarda, who pushed the passage of numerous laws championing women’s and children’s rights, called for better implementation of the statutes, notably the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act and the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
She also sought proper implementation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and its expanded version, and An Act Promoting for Stronger Protection Against Rape and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Increasing the Age for Determining the Commission of Statutory Rape.
