Less than a third of the rape incidents that occurred in the province of Catanduanes in the first six months of 2026 were reported to the authorities within 72 hours.
Statistics provided by the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office headed by Provincial Director Virgilio R. Buena showed that of the 17 rape cases recorded by different police units, only 5 were reported within the first 72 hours from occurrence.
The other 12 incidents were reported late, PLt. Shara Denise Albaño-Barrientos, chief of the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) and Family Juvenile Gender and Development (FJGAD) Section, stated.
An average of almost three sexual assault cases were reported to the police monthly as of June 25, 2026, with January and March having four cases each.
The capital town of Virac accounted for the highest number of such cases with 10, followed by Baras and Bato with two each while Caramoran, Gigmoto and Viga have one each so far.
On the status of the rape cases this year, eight (8) are considered “cleared,” the Camp Camacho report said.
This means at least one of the offenders has been identified; there is sufficient evidence to charge him; and, he has been charged before the prosecutor’s office or any other court of appropriate jurisdiction.
Six (6) are considered “solved,” with the offender identified, charged and taken into custody based on sufficient evidence.
National Police Commission guidelines also state that a case is also deemed solved when some elements beyond police control prevent the arrest of the offender, such as when the victim refuses to prosecute after the offender is identified or the offender dies or absconds.
Three (3) of the current rape cases are still investigation, including incidents reported in January, May and June.
During the same period from January 1 to June 25, 2026, the CATPPO WCPD said the local police achieved a Crime Solution Efficiency (CSE) of 77.68 percent for rape cases based on the number of solved cases and a Crime Clearance Efficiency (CCE) of 20.25 percent.
Based on the WCPD records, an average of 40 rape cases were recorded during the six-year period from 2020 to 2025.
From the previous low of only 17 cases in 2020, the number of sexual assaults committed against women and children climbed to 42 in 2021, 52 in 2022 and 53 in 2023.
It dropped by 28 percent to 37 in 2024 but rose again to 43 the next year, with the cases for the first six months of 2026 nearly half of the previous year’s number.
Out of the total 259 cases reported to various police stations as of June 25, 2026, 77 or nearly 30 percent occurred in Virac.
The town of San Andres followed with 37 cases while Caramoran has 31 cases, Viga with 23, Baras and Bato with 22 each, Gigmoto with 13, San Miguel with 11, Pandan with 10, Bagamanoc with 7 and Panganiban with 6.
WCPD Chief PLt. Albano-Barrientos told the Tribune that the Catanduanes police has strengthened its all-out advocacy campaign on laws protecting women and children in schools, barangays, and offices, in partnership with other agencies, stakeholders, and NGOs.
It has conducted RED Teaming in line with Project IN.QU.E.S.T. to capacitate and assess the ability, decision making, and readiness of investigators and other personnel thru close supervision of the Chief of Police in handling women and children who are victims of abuse.
Case conference are also regularly conducted to identify gaps particularly with regards to why the rape incidents occurred, the reason for dismissal of a case, and the resolution of unsolved rape cases.
PLt. Albano-Barrientos likewise stressed that the CatPPO is overseeing the Crime Solution Efficiency and Crime Clearance Efficiency, to ensure a high conviction rate.
Among the other best practices of the local police are: continuous conduct of Oplan Presensya foot patrol and mobile patrol to prevent and control crimes; continuous conduct of Ronda sa Bangui together with BPATs and tanods; implementation of Oplan S.O.S.I.A on strengthening the functions and output-based performance of security guards through involvement in the PNP anti-criminality campaign; conduct of seminars for men in the barangays in partnership with Kalalakihang Tapat at Responsible sa Pagpapamilya (KATROPA), Men Opposed to Violence Everywhere (MOVE), and the Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities (ERPAT) Program; and Oplan KASALI KA (Karahasang Sekswal Ating Labanan, Isumbong sa Kapulisan.