Cops involved in 16 rape cases, other abuse — women’s group

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Fifty-six police officers have been involved in 33 cases of abuse against women, including 16 cases of rape, since July 2016, a women’s rights group said Wednesday.

The police officers have been involved in abuses against women, which include 13 cases against those aged 17-year-old and below, the Center for Women’s Resources said in a statement.

The abuses range from catcalling to sexual and other forms of harassment, physical assault, acts of lasciviousness, blackmailing, trafficking, and rape, the group added.

Twelve of the cases are drug-related, which means the assault was committed against drug suspects or their relatives, CWR also said.

“It is appalling how the authorities become bolder in committing abuses against women and minors. This only exemplifies the Duterte administration’s low regard for women’s rights,” said CWR Executive Director Jojo Guan.

The CWR released the data days after authorities arrested PO1 Eduardo Valencia, who allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl in exchange for the release of her parents who were arrested for drugs.

READ: Cop in ‘palit-puri’ scheme charged

Director Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, said that such abuse was not a common practice of police. /cbb