2021 National Human Rights Situation Report 61 eventually dismissed on the basis of the complainants prior desistance or insufficiency of evidence.216 246 In case of psychological abuse, there were also some issues raised on the protocols in the conduct of the said assessment. While the same is being given free of charge by government psychologists, the certificate containing the findings thereof is not being issued unless there is a court order, as a matter of the hospital procedure. This places the case at risk of dismissal considering that the abuse as alleged cannot be substantiated while at the Commission or the Prosecutor Office’s level.217 247 In cases of physical abuse, it has likewise been previously raised that there are concerns regarding the protocols on how complainants can avail of the services in government hospitals for medico-legal examination. Certain complaints had been reported to CHR Regional Office IX that they are being required to blotter the incident. As a matter of procedure, the said report will be presented to the hospital for the necessary examination. This particularly becomes problematic in cases the respondents are police officers and detailed in the particular office where the women are to blotter the incident.218 248 Lockdowns also made it more difficult to find help. Formal support services were sometimes closed or operating at reduced capacity. Family, friends and neighbours were often more remote and less likely to spot signs of abuse.219 249 Therefore, women and girls are disproportionately affected during pandemic. In particular, women and girls who face multiple forms of inequalities due to disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age and ethnic minority even became more vulnerable.220 250 Based on the data provided by PNP-Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR), the most common forms of GBV reported to the police in the region for the first semester of 2021 are rape with 79 cases, followed by VAWC under R.A. 9262 with 70 cases, Violation of R.A. 7610 with 45 cases and acts of lasciviousness with 24 cases. 221 251 The most prevalent human rights violations in the region are Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The high number of reported rape cases in the Cordillera committed against girls is very alarming. Concerned agencies and LGUs should join hands together and devise programs, projects, and activities that would help mitigate its widespread commission and at the same time empower girls to protect and fight for their rights. Concerted efforts should also be made so that proper intervention and immediate assistance be given to the victim-survivors.222 216 Commission on Human Rights Regional Office IX. (2021, July). 2021 CHR 9 Human Rights Situation Report. 217 Commission on Human Rights Regional Office IX. (2021, July). 2021 CHR 9 Human Rights Situation Report. 218 Commission on Human Rights Regional Office IX. (2021, July). 2021 CHR 9 Human Rights Situation Report. 219 Commission on Human Rights Regional Office XII. (2021, July). Regional Human Rights Situation Report January to June 2021. 220 Commission on Human Rights Regional Office XII. (2021, July). Regional Human Rights Situation Report January to June 2021. 221 Commission on Human Rights Cordillera Administrative Region. (2021, August). HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION REPORT ON THE MONITORING OF COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION. 222 Commission on Human Rights Cordillera Administrative Region. (2021, August). HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION REPORT ON THE MONITORING OF COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.