Women’s group on cop who maltreated partner: ‘Police must be protectors, not perpetrators’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) stressed on Tuesday that “all forms of violence should not be inflicted on anyone” in response to the arrest of a Cotabato police officer who was seen maltreating his live-in partner in a viral video that circulated online last week.

PCW said that it is “deeply concerned and horrified” after watching the video of a police corporal of Magpet Municipal Police Station who was beating and cursing his partner while aiming a gun at her head.

“We cannot even begin to imagine the immense pain she was subjected to, given those strong kicks and blows, coupled with curses. The photo showing the woman’s battered face after the abuse is the image showing the grave problem of Violence Against Women in the country,” the group said in a statement.

Citing the data of the Philippine National Police (PNP), PCW said there were 7,424 reported violence cases against women and children last year and 8,430 in 2021.

To prevent these cases from increasing, the group encourages women and girls who are victims of violence inflicted by their partners to speak out and seek agencies for help, especially departments and organizations with programs that provide legal and psychosocial assistance.

It also calls on the PNP to ensure that authorities conduct a thorough investigation of the case and that justice will be served.

“May the agency also continue to inculcate gender sensitivity to all police officers that they will be protectors of women from violence, not the perpetrator of it. May all partners in this law enforcement agency live up to the pillars of service, honor, and justice,” PCW said.

Authorities arrested and identified Police Corporal Louie Jay Lumancas at Kidapawan City on April 10. Lumancas will face charges of violating Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

He is under police custody and will undergo inquest proceedings at the Cotabato Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

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JPV