2021 National Human Rights Situation Report 59 Gatus to his live-in partner Irene Grace Hermida y Dela Vega and her 10-year-old stepson, Josiah Brent Hermida, was investigated by CHR Regional Office 3. 234 In an interview with Irene, she affirmed the physical abuse committed by Roel. She narrated that Roel Gatus would physically abuse her whenever he was drunk. On 26 April 2020, at around 11:40 in the evening, Roel arrived at their home drunk and was looking for the cover of their aquarium. When Grace and her son answered that they did not know where it was, Roel punched her and whipped their son with wood on different parts of their son’s body. Grace and Josiah went afterwards to the district hospital to seek medical treatment. As established by facts and pieces of evidence gathered, Irene and Josiah were physically abused by Roel, which constitutes a clear human rights violation. A criminal complaint about a breach of RA 9262 was already filed against Roel before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of San Jose Del Monte (SJDM), Bulacan while being detained at SJDM Police station. This Office recommends that a total of forty-five thousand pesos (Php 45,000.00) financial assistance be granted to Grace Hermida and her minor son Josiah Brent Hermida.208 235 Naga City’s anti-GBV program, Naga CIty Bantay Familia, Inc. is an inter-agency network of local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and sectoral groups who have been working to uphold the value of family in the community and advocating women’s and children’s rights, gender equality, peace and justice inside the homes and communities.209 236 Due to the pandemic restrictions, adjustments were made by the PNP-WCPD since it was difficult for the victims to go to the station. Thus, leading to the creation of the E-Reklamo FB Page where victims can contact the station and a police officer will answer their queries or give online counseling.210 237 The CHR Regional Office IX record shows that women and children continue to be vulnerable to all forms of abuse: physical, psychological, sexual and economic abuse. Domestic violence still exists until the time being. This may have been aggravated by reasons such as the women’s dependency on their partners for financial support due to lack of livelihood or insufficient means of support and stigma that may be brought about by the idea of a broken family. The COVID-19 pandemic posed an even greater threat and problem to this issue. The restriction in movement during the time of quarantine not only limited their means to look for livelihood, but forced them to stay with their abusive partners as well. Teenage pregnancy has also been a problem even before the pandemic but the number still increased even during the pandemic. The number of rape cases committed against minors is also alarming especially considering the fact that perpetrators often live with the victim under one dwelling. Mental health issues remain a problem and became even more apparent during the pandemic as reflected in the number of suicides in the region. Lack of psychologists and child psychologists in the region is also a problem.211 238 #FEUHSDoBetter has trended on Twitter after multiple allegations of sexual harassment has been shared by current and former students. The school was also criticized for falling short in protecting the students even after the victims have come forward. The Far Eatern 208 Commission on Human Rights Regional Office III. (2021, January). Human Rights Regional Situationer Report Region III – Central Luzon January to December 2020. 209 CHR Regional Office V. (2021, January). VAW in Naga City in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic. 210 CHR Regional Office V. (2021, January). VAW in Naga City in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic. 211 Commission on Human Rights Regional Office 9. (2021, January). 2020 CHR 9 Human Rights Situation Report.