By CHRIS PANGANIBAN\
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur–The policeโs regional women and children protection desk in Caraga said that child abuse cases in the region dropped by 20 percent this year.
The latest police data showed 567 cases of violence and abuse against children recorded from January to Nov. 6โ144 fewer than the 739 cases logged in the same period last year.
Police Maj. Arlene T. Ga, chief of the Regional Women and Children Protection Desk (RWCPD), attributed the decrease to stronger information campaigns and quicker community reporting.
She presented the figures during the Kapihan sa Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga on Nov. 10 at SM City Butuan, held as part of National Childrenโs Month activities.
In a phone interview, Ga said the youngest recorded victim of sexual abuse this year is two years old.
She said the figures on the decline of the cases were gathered from the crime information report of the RWCPD.
However, she emphasized the importance of maintaining continued vigilance, particularly online.
Earlier this week, police rescued four minorsโincluding an 8-month-old infantโfrom an operation in Bayabas, Surigao del Sur.
A report from the Philippine News Agency identified the suspect as Leonila Talikig Trangia, who faces charges for reportedly exploiting the children for online abuse materials.
The Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center, assisted by the United Kingdomโs National Crime Agency, coordinated the operation with local law enforcers, the PNA report said.
Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel assured that the rescued children, of whom the older ones are aged 15, 10, and 8 years old, are now being taken care of by two adoptive families.
Pimentel learned from the operatives that Trangkia was the mother of the minor victims whose photos of her children were sold online, mostly to foreigners.
โAside from cash assistance, we will continue to support their needs to the parents who adopted them,โ the governor said in a video message on his social media page on Monday.
Violations of RA 7610, the child protection law, and rape remain the most common offenses, both down by 25 percent from last yearโs numbers.
Most rape victims were 11 to 14 years old, while suspects were typically 18 to 40 and known to the childโneighbors, friends, classmates, or former boyfriends.
โFamily support helps victims pursue justice and heal,โ Ga said.
Ga urged parents to strictly supervise childrenโs use of social media and messaging apps, calling online exposure โone of the fastest-growing risks.โ
The police assured that Women and Children Protection Desks remain active in all city and municipal stations across Caraga to assist victims anytime.
โProtection begins with awareness and swift community reporting,โ Ga said.
Officials from the Caraga Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children also joined the Kapihan discussion, calling for sustained inter-agency collaboration to protect children from abuse and exploitation.
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