PCW welcomes PNP leadership’s move to probe, possibly dismiss personnel tagged in harassment, murder of teenage girl

The Philippine Commission on Women lauds the move of Philippine National Police Chief PGen Archie Gamboa to investigate and possibly dismiss two police personnel allegedly involved in the murder of a teenage girl in Ilocos Sur.

The slain teenager earlier accused one of these police personnel of committing acts of lasciviousness while her 18-year-old cousin also filed rape charges against the other. Initial police investigation revealed that the suspects took advantage of the two girls who were reportedly intoxicated when they were arrested for violation of curfew.

With its commitment to serve and protect, the PNP must not condone any act of Violence Against Women (VAW) and must not tolerate any perpetrator in its ranks. The PCW trusts that the police force will give equal importance to other VAW cases allegedly committed by cops, others have come to light in the past few months. The country needs police personnel that Juanas can trust, police that do not abuse their authority, and do not take advantage of vulnerable women, especially during this already difficult situation. Juanas need police authorities that listen to their pleas and handle charges with fairness and not those who retaliate when accused or shelter culprits.

The PCW vows to continue working with the PNP- Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) in addressing VAW.