‘Rape is not a laughing matter’ — VP Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday said “rape is not a laughing matter.”

“Ako, hindi lang bilang babae pero bilang tao, kahit anuman na… kahit anuman na statement na kasalanan ng babae iyong rape, hindi iyon nakakatawa. Kailangang i-protesta natin. Alam natin na hindi iyon tama,” Robredo said in an ambush interview after a press briefing.

“Mayroong rape kasi may rapist, hindi may rape dahil may magandang babae. Sineseryoso natin itong isyu na ito. Hindi ito isang bagay na parang kibit-balikat lamang. Hindi dapat pinaglalaruan iyong isyu. Hindi dapat na ginagawang biro,” she added.

Duterte made the remark during the 49th Mandaue City Charter Day in Cebu as he attributed the high number of rape cases in Davao to the number of beautiful girls in the province.

“They said there are many rape cases in Davao. If there are many beautiful women, there are more cases of rape,” Duterte said in a local dialect.

READ: Duterte on Davao’s high number of rape cases: ‘Many beautiful women there’

The Palace defended the President, saying the remark must not be taken seriously as it was just another joke from him.

Despite the defense of the Palace, Robredo asserted that freedom of speech should be used in a proper way.

“Iyong freedom of speech, parating may limitasyon. Hindi dapat ginagamit ito para mambastos ng kahit sinuman. Hindi ito dapat ginagamit para i-disrespect iyong bawat Pilipino,” Robredo said.   /vvp

READ: Solons criticize Duterte’s ‘maraming maganda, maraming rape’ remark