A construction worker faces 18 counts of rape after being arrested by the police in San Andres town, Catanduanes, on Monday.
The 40-year-old suspect was arrested at their house in Brgy. Belmonte.
According to the police, the widowed suspect allegedly made her daughter a sex slave from August to November 2020, at the height of the strict community quarantine.
The suspect, who is also the number 1 most wanted person in the town, was detained at the Caramoran, Catanduanes municipal police station.
In May 2020, Philippine National Police (PNP) reported an average of eight rape incidents in the Philippines during the imposed community lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The number is 53% lower, or an average of 18 victims a day, compared to the 1,289 cases documented from January 9 to March 16, before the government put most areas in the country under enhanced community quarantines to contain COVID-19.
In the Philippines, rape is the most common form of sexual abuse, followed by incest then inappropriate touching. The incest rate is recorded at 33%.
From 2011-2016, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) served a total of 2,770 incest victims out of 7,418 victims of sexual abuse, with a recorded average per year fluctuating between 400 and 500 victims.
According to DSWD data, most incest victims are girls between the ages of 14 and 17. But there are reported cases of below 5 years old.
Also read: Typhoon victims in Catanduanes receive expired rice, Food, water, construction materials needed in Catanduanes
Over 2,000 violators arrested on first day of MECQ in Davao City
Authorities arrested 2,148 people for violating the first day of modified enhanced community quarantine in Davao City.
According to the Davao City Police, the highest number of people arrested without wearing a face shield was 822.
This was followed by those who did not wear or incorrectly wore face masks numbering 589, and 351 were arrested for mass gatherings.
Those who did not comply with the physical distancing numbered 351, while 347 were arrested for violating the curfew.
Fifty-five did not use the motorcycle barrier, and 37 were non-essential travelers. Three also presented fake RT-PCR test results, and two were liquor ban violators.
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