The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reported on Wednesday that based on their records the usual suspects in rape cases in the Davao Region involving minors are relatives and acquaintances of the victims.
“Kasagaran sa rape kasaragan suspect kaila ug relative. So dili nata mu kumpyansa karon sa kaila ug kabarkada. Labi na kung sa mga barkada nga inum inum unya mahubog, mao na kasagaran sa among record kung minors. Sa rape cases, mas daghan ang minors compared sa adults as victims,” Police Major Catherine dela Rey, DCPO spokesperson, said during the AFP PNP Press Corps media forum on Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Dela Rey cited the case of the 9-year-old girl as an example who was reported missing on March 17, 2023 in Barangay Paquibato Proper in Paquibato District and was found dead on March 21, 2023.
Dela Rey reported that the suspect Anecito Abejuela Tupas Jr, 31 years old, is a cousin of the victim.
Dela Rey said often rape cases were reported late because children are afraid of the perpetrators, embarrassed, and think they have no allies.
“Sa mga victims ayaw mo ug kahadlok ug dangop mo sa pulis,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dela Rey reported that rape remains the top crime in Davao City followed by theft and murder from January to February this year.
Currently, there are 15 rape cases recorded from the period of January to February this year wherein the majority of the victims are minors.
