LAGAWE, Ifugao – The anti-rape campaign of the Ifugao Police Provincial Office (IPPO) dubbed “Oplan Ammuna” has gained the support of the youth in the province.
Provincial Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Aezle Dumangeng recently turned over to the IPPO 178 anti-rape tarpaulins to be hung in conspicuous areas in the different barangays.
The tarpaulins bear the message, “Let’s protect our children, have pity and don’t rape them. It will ruin their lives, Stop Rape”.
The Anti-Rape Law and hotline numbers of the IPPO’s Women and Children Protection Desk are also included in the tarps for reporting or for queries.
The advocacy materials were realized through a resolution passed by members of IPPO’s Provincial Advisory Council requesting the SK Provincial Federation Office (SKPFO) to fund the printing of tarpaulins with messages translated in various Ifugao dialects for easy understanding.
“The dedication of our police forces inspired our office to offer what we can do to help,” Dumangeng said.
She said rape is paniyo (taboo/forbidden) in Ifugao culture and the surge of incidents in the province is alarming and unacceptable.
“We hope that these tarpaulins will assist the IPPO’s concerted efforts down to the municipal police stations in the implementation of the “Oplan Ammuna”. Our office is very willing to extend help to the PNP’s programs and activities for our youth as long as fund is available,” Dumangeng said.
Ifugao Provincial Director, Col. David Mariano, lauded the support of the SKPFO to their Oplan Ammuna and Oplan Paniyo to address the occurrence of rape in the province with mostly children as victims.
“Preventing rape is not only the concern of the police force but also the community. We are thankful to the provincial SK federation office and to the members of the Provincial Advisory Council for this endeavor,” he said. – Marcelo B. Lihgawon
