Since the start of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on March 17, more than 1,200 crimes have been committed against children and women.
President Rodrigo Duterte cited a Philippine National Police (PNP) report ending April 30, which recorded 521 crimes against children and 763 cases of crimes against women.
“The PNP Women and Children Protection Desks are working closely with LGUs to ensure that the rights and welfare of women and children are protected during the ECQ,” Duterte said.
Last month, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that the government should “undertake measures to combat domestic violence and to provide protection for the rights of women and children” while addressing the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The CHR further recommended that victims of abuse and domestic violence be given assistance through legal means, temporary shelters, medical and psychological care and even financial help as they will most likely move out of their houses to escape the situation.
As governments all over the world imposed home quarantine measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, concerns about domestic violence and abuse have mounted.
The United Nations asked governments around the world not to overlook the protection of women and children while they manage the virus. (Jojo Mangahis)