Sexual crimes vs women on the rise in Pangasinan

By Jennelyn Mondejar

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Sexual crimes against women and children are on the rise in this province and victims are getting younger, statistics released by the provincial police office.

The PPO’s Women’s and Children’s Desk released figures showing that from 56 rape cases recorded in the first quarter of 2009, there have been 70 cases reported in the same period this year.

A scrutiny of these cases also showed that the age range of the victims is from 4 to 15 years old.

A WCD officer said that in many of these cases, the suspects had been exposed either to pornography and drugs use or both.

In other cases, the suspects were also minors who lacked moral guidance since their parents are either separated or working abroad.

Recently, police in Mangatarem town arrested one Ernesto Barte of Barangay Bantokaling, over a rape and assault case being tried in Branch 68 of the Regional Trial Court in Lingayen.