BAGUIO CITY: The number of rape incidents here last year decreased by 18.2 percent compared to the previous year, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) under Col. Francisco Bulwayan Jr. reported.

Maj. Harriet Bulad, BCPO City Investigations and Detective Management Unit deputy chief, said that 36 rape incidents were recorded in the city in 2023 as compared to the 44 incidents recorded in 2022.

Major Bulad made the report during a management committee meeting attended by local government officials led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Tuesday, March 12, at the city hall.

From 2019 to 2023, majority of the rape incidents occurred at residential places like houses and condos, and commercial and business establishments, and most of the rape victims belonged to the one to 17 years age group.

From 2019 to 2023, Bulad disclosed that most of the suspects belonged to the 18 to 76 age range, and majority of them are not related to the victim.

She revealed that some of the rape incidents happened after the victim and offender had a drinking spree and that some victims met the offender through social media.

Some of the incidents occurred at home and committed by relatives or neighbors, because parents of the minor victims went to work and left their care to the relatives or neighbors, Bulad said.

The BCPO recommended the following interventions: Strict implementation of city ordinances on curfew and selling of liquor to minors; intensified anti-rape campaigns in partnership with various agencies and religious sector; educating the youth regarding "good touch" and "bad touch" in schools; regular meetings or dialogues with barangay officials and parents; and more. GABY B. KEITH