172 rape, sexual abuse suspects arrested in a month — CIDG
MANILA, Philippines—The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested 172 individuals accused of rape and sexual abuse in a nationwide March crackdown marking National Women’s Month.
It resulted in the capture of fugitives facing charges such as rape, statutory rape, acts of lasciviousness, and qualified rape of a minor through sexual assault.
CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said 75 of those arrested were from Luzon, 26 from the Visayas, and 71 from Mindanao.
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Among the suspects, 53 were listed as Regional Most Wanted Persons, while 68 were identified as Provincial Most Wanted Persons. Authorities added that no bail was recommended for 72 of those arrested.
The Regional Most Wanted Persons were from various areas nationwide, including Regions 1 to 12, the Cordillera Administrative Region, the Negros Island Region, and the National Capital Region.
The CIDG chief said the arrests prevented these “predators” from roaming freely and committing further abuse, while helping the 172 victims and their families move closer to justice.
The cases involved violations of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Anti-Child Abuse Act, and RA No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act.
Additionally, cases involving violations of RA No. 11313 (the Safe Spaces Act) and RA No. 11930 (the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Act) were also recorded.
The CIDG praised its units for helping protect vulnerable groups and track sexual abuse suspects nationwide.
Pregnancies among girls under 15
According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, more than 3,600 girls under 15 gave birth in 2024.
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In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development said “most pregnancies among girls under 15 are likely the result of statutory rape, where older men take advantage of significant differences in age, maturity, and authority.”
The PLCPD reiterated its call to pass the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (APP) Bill, aimed at boosting prevention efforts, child protection, and comprehensive adolescent sexuality education on consent and safety.
“It ensures that children are protected before harm occurs and reduces the conditions that allow abuse to happen in the first place. There should be no confusion: the APP Bill is a child protection measure,” the PLCPD said. /mcm
