36
2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines
Type of Incident
RA 9262
Anti-VAWC Law
RA 8353
The Anti-Rape
Law of 1997
Act of
Lasciviousness
Art. 336 of RPC
Concubinage
Art. 334 of RPC
RA 9995
Anti-Photo and
Video Voyeurism
RA 9208
Anti-Trafficking
in Persons
RA 7877
Anti-Sexual
Harassment
RA 11311
Safe Spaces
15
6
3
0
0
0
0
0
24
18
5
1
0
0
0
0
0
24
XIII
Caraga
47
4
4
0
2
0
0
0
57
BARMM
6
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
9
Total
671
70
44
5
6
6
1
1
804
Region
XI
Davao
XII
SOCCSKSARGEN
Total
103
Cases like the above-mentioned situation were presented in multiple Regional Situation
Reports. It is even more alarming that abuse and violence can happen within the confines
of a home during lockdown amidst the COVID-19 outbreak where access to justice
becomes even more difficult.152 153 154 155 156
104
Based on the graph (see next page), there is a downward trajectory in the months during
the lockdown. However, due to stay-at-home measures there may be an increase in abuse
cases that are not reported.157
Rights of Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic
105
The Philippines has been identified by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
to be one of the sources of child sex abuse material globally. In 2018 alone, 600,000
sexualized photos of Filipino children were traded. UNICEF also reported that one in five
Filipino children between 13-17 years old have experienced sexual violence while half of
these have experienced online sexual violence or online bullying.158 159
152
(2020). January to June 2020 Regional Human Rights Situation Report for CHR Regional Office IX. Zamboanga
City: CHR Regional Office IX.
153
Gender E-report available at https://chr-observatories.uwazi.io/en/entity/j5qp9jejog8?searchTerm=covid, accessed 30
September 2020.
154
For sample cases, ibid.
155
DOJ: online child sexual exploitation cases tripled during ECQ. Manila Bulletin, 25 May 2020 available at: https://
news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/25/doj-online-child-sexual-exploitation-cases-tripled-during-ecq/, accessed 28 May 2020.
156
‘Trapped with abusers’, 7 kids rescued from sex trafficker in Luzon. Rappler, 25 April 2020 available at https://www.
rappler.com/nation/258987-trapped-with-abusers-children-rescued-from-sex-trafficker-luzon, accessed 26 April 2020.
157
Rappler. During coronavirus lockdown: Abused women, children more vulnerable, 9 May 2020, available at https://
rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/during-coronavirus-lockdown-abused-women-children-more-vulnerable, accessed
21 September 2020.
158
See https://www.unicef.org/philippines/press-releases/saferkidsph-advocates-stop-online-sexual-abuse-andexploitation-children.
159
See CHR (V) A2020-014.