Sex assaults heat up during Valentine month

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) have recorded 17 rape-slay cases in the country, mostly from the provinces of Laguna and Bulacan in February, the so-called month of hearts.

Fresh from the list is the case of 14-year-old Rochelle Geronda of Los Baños, Laguna who was found Thursday morning dead and naked with several stab wounds in her body.

Los Baños officials offered P50,000 bounty for the arrest of the sex fiend who remains on the loose.
Yesterday, the corpse of 18 year-old Maricris Martin was also found bloodied and naked in Tarlac.

Police later arrested the suspect, the victim’s stepfather.

PNP records show that of the 17 rape-slay cases, eight were from Bulacan and two were recorded in Laguna.

Bulacan-PNP officials said that they would intensify their coordination with village officials to ease the long list of such cases in their area.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said they will implement extensive roving during night time especially in dark places and directed his men in to be alert 24/7.

Women’s rights advocates yesterday expressed alarm over the lengthening list of rape-slay cases in the country.

Gabriela Secretary General Joms Salvador they will push for the amendments to the Anti-Rape Law.

“This is so alarming. As poverty grows intense, the more these cases against women manifest (Habang tumitindi ang kahirapan, lalong nagma-manifest ang mga ganitong kaso kontra kababaihan.) I think we should push some amendments of the current law.” Salvador said.