Surviving Violence and Trafficking-Stories of Women and Youth: Olongapo

SURVIVING VIOLENCE & TRAFFICKING
STORIES OF WOMEN AND YOUTH OF OLONGAPO CITY

A RESEARCH REPORT
M
erle was only 17 years old when she was brought
to a brothel in Manila that catered to Japanese
customers. She was able to escape, but only last
December, she saw the same recruiter who got her recruiting
young women again.
The exploitation of women has become even more varied
with the progress of technology. Nimia was offered the job of
chatting on the Internet with men. Later, she realized the job
entailed doing very demanding sexual tricks as a cyber sex
model as requested by her online clients.
Those who traffic women abroad have connections in the
Immigration departments of our airports, so that even minors
like Gladys, who was 16 when she was tricked into working as
a prostitute in Malaysia, was able to pass inspection without
any problem.
These are some of the issues and obstacles faced by VAWC and trafficking survivors, and many
stakeholders are earnest about addressing them. The city government of Olongapo, for its part, has
drafted and passed ordinances, resolutions and executive orders to support R.A. 9262 and R.A. 9208.
Institutional mechanisms have been set up to implement these laws. But women and children who
suffer violence within the home, and exploitation and abuse outside, sometimes do not get the aid
and justice they are seeking. It is the intent of this research report to find out why.
ABOUT THE PROJECT AND THE PUBLISHER

WeDpro, Inc.
The Women’s Education, Development, Productivity & Research Organization or WeDpro, Inc. was es-
tablished in 1989 by a group of feminists who were interested in undertaking development work that
privileged women’s human rights issues, especially in the area of trafficking and sexual exploitation.
It made its mark in the development arena in 1990/91 when WeDpro submitted to the Aquino Gov-
ernment the report on the Comprehensive Bases Conversion Program Study on Women; the report
provided alternative development agenda for women that were to be affected by the withdrawal of the
US military bases in 1991.
WeDpro has then evolved as a feminist group of volunteer women and men who undertake various projects and activities
aimed at promoting human rights particularly women’s rights through research, training and education, cultural activities,
advocacy and campaigns.
The European Union-supported project “Private and Public Faces of Violence Against Women:
Addressing Domestic Violence and Trafficking In the Urban Poor Communities and “Red Light
Districts” of Angeles City and Olongapo City” aims to contribute to enhancing the governance
environment where the promotion of human rights is at the center, particularly the fulfilling of
the obligation of local government units (LGUs) to protect and promote the rights of vulnerable populations against traf-
ficking and violence, and to increase the rights-claiming capacities of women. Specifically, the
project will identify factors constraining the effective implementation of the anti-trafficking and
anti-VAWC laws in the selected areas, from a rights and gender-based perspective; and build
the capacities of stakeholders to address the identified factors hindering the protection and fulfill-
ment of the right against trafficking and violence.
Electronic version of this publication may also be accessed at WeDpro’s website:
http://www.wedprophils.org
Book and cover design: Rolando F. Santos / Images © Elenaphoto21 (front) & Otnaydur (back) | Dreamstime.com
Surviving Violence
and Trafficking
Stories of Women and Youth
of Olongapo City
A Research Report
Private and Public Faces of Violence Against Women: Addressing

Domestic Violence and Trafficking in the Urban Poor Communities
and Entertainment Centers of Angeles City and Olongapo City
A project funded by A project implemented by

The European Union WeDpro, Inc.
DISCLAIMER
This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are
the sole responsiblity of Women's Education, Development, Productivity and Research Organization (WeDpro), Inc. and can
under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
Surviving Violence and Trafficking:

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City—A Research Report
ISBN 978-971-91451-7-2
Copyright © 2010
All rights reserved — WeDpro, Inc.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the permission, in writing, from
the publisher.
Published by the Women’s Education, Development, Productivity and Research Organization (WeDpro),
Inc. through the Project “Private and Public Faces of Violence Against Women: Addressing Domestic
Violence and Trafficking in the Urban Poor Communities and Entertainment Centers of Angeles City and
Olongapo City” (“The Red AVP”)
A project funded by
The European Union
In cooperation with:
Buklod Center, Inc.
Nagkakaisang Kababaihan ng Angeles, Inc.
Local Government Units of the Cities of Angeles and Olongapo
Barangays Amsic and Malabanias (Angeles)
Barangays Gordon Heights and West Bajac-bajac (Olongapo)
Research and Editorial Team:

Aida Santos-Maranan, Project Manager & Executive Editor
Lilian Pimentel, Research Team Leader and Writer
Tezza O. Parel, Editor
Rolando F. Santos, Book Design & Layout; Additional Editing
First printing August 2010; second printing December 2010

Printed in the Philippines
Printed by RightClick Design and Editorial Services

Contents
Acronyms...................................................................................................................................................................vi
Acknowledgment.....................................................................................................................................................vii
Prologue.................................................................................................................................................................. viii
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................ 1
The Project........................................................................................................................................................... 1
The Global Realities of VAWC........................................................................................................................... 2
VAWC in the Philippine Context...................................................................................................................... 3
Looking Through the Gendered Lens: A Framework of Analysis................................................................... 5
Graph 1. Number of Registered Entertainment Centers in Angeles City............................................ 6
Graph 2. Number of Registered Entertainment Centers in Olongapo City......................................... 6
The Research.............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Objectives............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Methodology........................................................................................................................................................ 8
The Validation Workshop.................................................................................................................................. 9
Limitations........................................................................................................................................................... 9
The Olongapo City Report
Sources of Data......................................................................................................................................................... 11
Key Informants........................................................................................................................................... 11
Focused Group Discussions........................................................................................................................ 11
Secondary Materials ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Findings..................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Profile of Women.............................................................................................................................................. 12
VAWC and Trafficking Statistics..................................................................................................................... 12
Filing Complaints.............................................................................................................................................. 13
Filing Cases in Court ........................................................................................................................................ 13
The Service Providers and VAWC ................................................................................................................. 14
Barangays’ Handling of VAWC Cases............................................................................................................. 15
Factors that Enable the Effective Implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208. ........................................................17
Five major enabling factors cited by KIs....................................................................................................... 17
Steps that have helped KIs implement R.A.s 9262 and 9208...................................................................... 17
Steps to address trafficking............................................................................................................................. 17
Factors that Constrain the Effective Implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208............................................... 18
Structural constraints...................................................................................................................................... 18
Problems related to trafficking....................................................................................................................... 19
The Survivors........................................................................................................................................................... 20
Profiles of the women...................................................................................................................................... 20
Profiles of the VAWC perpetrators and traffickers..................................................................................... 20
Nature of violence . .......................................................................................................................................... 20
Duration and frequency of violence ............................................................................................................. 21
Reaction of VAWC and Trafficking Survivors and Status of their Cases.................................................. 21
Support System of VAWC Survivors ............................................................................................................. 21
Present Concerns of VAWC Survivors .......................................................................................................... 21
Survivors’ Stories .................................................................................................................................................... 22
VAWC.................................................................................................................................................................. 22
Trafficking.......................................................................................................................................................... 26
Recommendations............................................................................................................................................ 30
Project Photos.......................................................................................................................................................... 34
Overall Findings and Recommendations
Overall Findings....................................................................................................................................................... 36
VAWC.................................................................................................................................................................. 36
Trafficking.......................................................................................................................................................... 37
Enabling Factors for the Effective Implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208 ........................................... 38
Constraints to the Effective Implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208....................................................... 38
Overall Recommendations .................................................................................................................................... 42
For the barangays............................................................................................................................................. 42
For LGUs.............................................................................................................................................................. 42
For NGOs............................................................................................................................................................. 45
For communities............................................................................................................................................... 45
Recommendations that need immediate attention.................................................................................... 46
For other stakeholders..................................................................................................................................... 46
For the academe................................................................................................................................................ 46
For people in politics........................................................................................................................................ 46
References................................................................................................................................................................. 47
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Key Informants (KIs)....................................................................................................................................................48
Table 2. VAWC and Trafficking Statistics ........................................................................................................... 49
Table 3. Statistics and Status of VAWC Cases Filed in Family Court – Olongapo City, 2004-2009..................51
Table 4. Status of Trafficking Cases in Olongapo City as of Dec. 2009.......................................................................51
Table 5. Status of Cases with Petition for TPO/PPO as of Dec. 2009...........................................................................51
Table 6. Profile of Women from Bgys. West Bajac-bajac and Gordon Heights............................................... 51
Table 7. Common VAWC-related Complaints...................................................................................................... 52
Table 8. Striking/Memorable VAWC-related Complaints................................................................................. 52
Table 9. Cases Considered Difficult to Handle..................................................................................................... 52
Table 10. Barangays’ Ways of Handling VAWC Cases......................................................................................... 53
Table 11. Enabling Factors in the Effective Implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208.................................... 54
Table 11a. Government Programs to Address VAW........................................................................................... 56
Table 11b. NGO and Academe Programs to Address VAW................................................................................ 58
Table 12. Constraints to the Effective Implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208............................................. 59
Table 13. Trafficking Cases from Key Informants and FGD Participants........................................................ 61
Table 14. Profile of Survivors................................................................................................................................. 61
Table 15. Profile of VAW Perpetrators................................................................................................................. 62
Table 16. Nature of Violence/Duration and Frequency of Violence/Causes of Abuse................................. 62
Table 17. Reaction of Survivors and Status of Cases.......................................................................................... 63
Table 18. Recommendations from LGU, Service Providers, Law Enforcers, NGOs and FGD Participants. 64
Table 19. Recommendations from the VAW Survivors..................................................................................... 65
list of Annexes
Annex 1. List of Key Informants........................................................................................................................ 66
Annex 2. List of FGD Participants...................................................................................................................... 67
Annex 3. Samples of VAWC Complaints Registered in the Logbook of Bgy. Gordon Heights ................ 68
Annex 4. Bgy. Gordon Heights Compliance Monitoring Report Submitted to DILG................................. 69
Annex 5. Bgy. West Bajac-bajac Samples of Registered VAWC Complaints............................................... 72
Annex 6. VAWC Implementation Report – Bgy. West Bajac-bajac............................................................... 73
Annex 7. City Police Detailed Report on Crimes Against Women (2004-2009).......................................... 76
Annex 8. Cases of Violation of R.A.s 9208 and 9262 (PREDA Foundation)................................................... 78
Annex 9. VAWC Cases, Jan.-June 2009, Family Court Branch 73, Olongapo City....................................... 79
Annex 10. VAWC Cases, As of July-Dec. 2009, Family Court Branch 73, Olongapo City . ........................... 82
Annex 11. Statistical Report on Dismissed and Archived VAWC Cases (2005-2009)
Family Court Branch 73 - Olongapo City......................................................................................... 86
Annex 12a. Status of Trafficking Cases, Family Court Branch 73 - Olongapo City........................................ 88
Annex 12b. Statistical Report on TPO and PPO (Jan. 2003-Dec. 2009)
Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 73 - Olongapo City.................................................................. 88
Annex 13. Cases Handled by Zambales CIDT..................................................................................................... 89
Annex 14. Executive Order No. 25 – Creating the Anti-Indecency Board..................................................... 92
Annex 15. Ordinance No. 102 – Curfew Hours for Minors............................................................................... 95
Annex 16. Ordinance No. 78 – Rules and Regulations to Govern the Operation,
Licensing and Supervision of all Computer-related Establishments.......................................... 97
Annex 17. Ordinance No. 79 – Defining and Penalizing Online Pornography...........................................102
Annex 18. Ordinance No. 69 – Providing for a City Gender and Development Code................................108
Annex 19. Ordinance No. 26 – Creating a Joint Local Inter-agency Council
for Anti-trafficking and Anti-VAWC..............................................................................................134
Annex 20. Ordinance No. 51 – Addressing the System of Prostitution, Imposing Penalties on the
Perpetrators, Providing Protective Measures and Support for the Prostituted Persons......137
Annex 21. Ordinance No. 29 – Adopting R.A. 9208 and Its Implementing Rules and Regulations..........145
Annex 22. Resolution No. 143 – Supporting the Anti-obscenity and Pornography Act of 2004..............152
Annex 23. Resolution No. 144 – Supporting the Passage of House Bill 4613,
“An Act Defining the Crime of Child Pornography”....................................................................155
Annex 24. Resolution No. 145 – Supporting House Bill 4575,
“An Act Penalizing Online Child Pornography”...........................................................................157
Annex 25. Resolution No. 31 – Urging the LGUs to Call for Advocacy
to Uplift Women’s Rights and Dignity...........................................................................................160
Annex 26. Resolution No. 98 – Supporting the Local MOVE in Olongapo City...........................................163
Annex 27. Resolution No. 22 – Declaring March 2000 as International Women’s Month........................166
Annex 28. List of Participants - Research Validation Workshop, April 20, 2010.......................................168
Acronyms
BDPA Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
BHRAO Barangay Human Rights Action Officers
BPSO Barangay Peace and Safety Officer
BPO Barangay Protection Order
CAT Convesntion Against Trafficking
CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women
CIDG Criminal Investigation and Detection Group
CSWDO City Social Work and Development Office
DEVAW Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women
DSWD Department of Social Work and Development
GAD Gender and Development
GBV Gender-based violence
PAO Public Attorney’s Office
EU European Union
FGD Focus group discussion
GO Government
KI Key informant
KII Key informant interview
LGU Local government unit
MOVE Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere
NCRFW National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women
NGO Non-government organization
OFW Overseas Filipino worker
PCW Philippine Commission on Women
PNP Philippine National Police
PPGD Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development
PPO Permanent Protection Order
PDPW Philippine Development Plan for Women
R.A. Republic Act
R.A. 9208 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003
R.A. 9262 Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004
RTC Regional Trial Court
SBMA Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
The Red AVP The Red Anti-Violence Project
TIP Report Trafficking in Persons Report
TPO Temporary Protection Order
UN United Nations
VAW Violence against women
VAWC Violence against women and their children
VFA Visiting Forces Agreement
WBB West Bajac-bajac
WCPD Women and Children Protection Desk
WHO World Health Organization
vi Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Acknowledgment
The present report has been culled from a longer report prepared by the Research Team led
by Lilian Pimentel. The report is the culminating activity under the Research Component of the
project funded by the European Union called “Private and Public Faces of Violence Against Women:
Addressing Domestic Violence and Trafficking in the Urban Poor Communities and Entertainment
Centers of Angeles City and Olongapo City,” or “The Red AVP” (The Red Anti-Violence Project).
The research started in mid-November 2009 and was completed in June 2010. Several months of
painstaking efforts were done by the Research Team to track down and collect official documents
related to the enforcement of Republic Act (R.A.) 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their
Children (Anti-VAWC) Act of 2004, and R.A. 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, and other
documents on related concerns. Hundred of hours were spent on focus group discussions (FGDs)
and in interviewing local government officials, police, social workers, human rights advocates,
barangay officials, members of women’s groups and other civil society groups, and victim-survivors
of violence and trafficking.
The cooperation of the local government units of the cities of Angeles and Olongapo and
Barangays Amsic and Malabanias (Angeles) and Barangays Gordon Heights and West Bajac-bajac
(Olongapo) were crucial to the completion of the report. While the present study does not present
the entirety of the universe of the two cities and the barangays involved in the project with regard
to the situation of violence against women and trafficking, within the timeframe of the research
and the project in general, the report provides a lens through which the duty-bearers (State and
its instrumentalities) and claim-holders (people/citizens/communities) could address the gaps and
challenges pertaining to the laws’ implementation and the delivery of programs and services.
The recommendations outlined in the report are important particularly for the various
stakeholders in the cities and barangays concerned. But these are also useful for other cities and
barangays whose situations are perhaps not too different from the project partners of The Red AVP.
After all, the only way we can protect our children and future generations in general is to protect
our women—our grandmothers, mothers, daughters, wives. Violence against women in all its forms
is “… in direct contradiction to national and social development goals.” It is a human rights issue, it
is a national issue that has repercussions on our fate as a nation.
Finally, the stories that dot the narrative of the report were made possible by the victim-survivors
who courageously, but often with fear and trepidation, shared the pains of their experiences,
whether as survivors of violence or of trafficking. Sometimes, their stories end in smiles of victory,
sometimes with bittersweet memories, sometimes with sorrow, but nonetheless with the hope that
other women and youth can and will learn from their experiences.
WeDpro would like to thank the European Union for its support and with it, WeDpro shares
the hope that the project can make a difference in the lives of women and youth in the cities of
Angeles and Olongapo, and contribute to a future of this nation where human rights are protected
and promoted, and where women’s rights are at the center of governance.
We offer this report to the women and youth of Angeles and Olongapo. May the breaking of
silences and the courage to stand up be a continuing commitment. Thank you.
Aida Santos-Maranan
Project Manager, “The Red AVP”
Chairperson of the Board of Directors, WeDpro, Inc.
Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City vii

Prologue
For years, 62-year-old Agnes (all names presented here are fictitious) had been enduring her
husband’s violence, who would beat her and choke her whenever he got angry. When she tried to get
advice from a teacher, she was simply told to “keep the communication lines open.” Her father said
she had to accept what was happening in her marriage. Her religion had taught her to be committed
to it, and as she ruefully noted, there was no provision in the marital contract on how to escape a
bad one.
During all those years that she was suffering, she knew, “deep in her heart,” that her husband
had no right to beat her, and she attended different kinds of trainings until she met women from
BUKLOD, a women’s organization based in Olongapo, who acquainted her with Republic Act (R.A.)
9262 and R.A. 9208. The first was the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act and the
second was the Anti-Trafficking Act.
When she could no longer endure her husband’s abuse, she left the conjugal home for two years.
But her children were being neglected so she came back, but this time she was better equipped to
deal with the violence. When he beat her again, she went to the council of the barangay (village) for
help. She secured a medico-legal certificate to document her injuries and her husband was jailed for
three days. She told him to leave the house but until now he still lives there as he has nowhere else
to go. But the violence has stopped and Agnes feels that her knowledge of R.A. 9262 protects her from
being battered again.
But sometimes, even when a survivor has physically separated from the husband or partner the
violence continues. Marta secured a barangay protection order (BPO) against her live-in partner
and the order has saved her from further physical abuse, but he now he stalks her and continues to
makes threats on her life.
Most victim-survivors of violence against women (VAW) turn to their family for succor and
support. But like many of the women interviewed for this report, Elena is a migrant from another
province and has no close relatives where she lives. She cannot turn to her husband’s family because
they side with him despite his abusive behavior. In a situation like this, barangays are seen as the
first line of defense for survivors of VAW. But in Elena’s case, during her first attempt to get a BPO,
her in-laws were able to convince the barangay officials that they could help resolve the couple’s
quarrels.
In the course of the research, the Project Team came across entries in barangay logbooks that
documented amicable settlements between couples. These agreements, called “kasunduan,” would
contain a promise from the husband not to hurt his wife again. Both parties would sign the kasunduan
and this would be entered in the logbook.
In the implementing guidelines of R.A. 9262, it is mentioned several times that the barangay may
not mediate or otherwise influence the victim-survivor to compromise or abandon the relief she is
seeking. This raises the question of whether the barangays encourage such reconciliations, and if
that is the case, what influences this?
The law mandates that all barangays be given orientation seminars on VAWC and trafficking. But
is it enough to successfully overcome ingrained beliefs about women and the status of women and
men in society? Carmen’s husband once tried to beat her with a pipe after she had the “temerity” to
confront his mistress, but when she ran to the barangay for help they sided with her husband.
Part of the problem is resource allocation. The seminars have only be given once, and no priority is
given to evaluation and monitoring. How well have the laws sunk in? In some instances, the barangay
viii Surviving Violence and Trafficking

officials did not know that they had the authority to endorse a complaint to the police and have the
perpetrator charged under R.A. 9262. Perhaps they thought their main role was simply to maintain
local peace and order, so that in the case of Delia, after she had her battering complaint blottered in
the barangay logbook, they summoned her partner and had the couple hold a dialogue.
There were also several entries logged as “temporary custody/safekeeping.” These pertained to
perpetrators who were removed from their domiciles at their wives’ request to spend a night in the
barangay hall cell. Most often, the man was either drunk or high on drugs and had become menacing
but had not yet attacked his wife or partner, and so the barangay officials marked the incident down
as a case of “temporary custody/safekeeping” and not VAWC, because no physical assault had taken
place or the injuries had not been extreme.
This is also how some victims regard VAWC. Nelia never reported her husband’s abuse until he
nearly killed her in December 2009, because he “is levelheaded when he’s not drunk.” Elena has been
punched, beaten and pushed, but she describes these as only “slight” physical abuse. The Anti-VAWC
Law comprehensively describes abuse as not just physical harm. Among other definitions, it includes
psychological violence and financial deprivation as forms of abuse for which the perpetrator can be
held to account. But many women do not know this, and some wait until the physical violence is so
grievous even they cannot ignore it.
A more vigorous dissemination of information about the law would help more victims avail of its
protection, and help barangays better implement it. Few victims, for instance, know that they could
file administrative cases against barangay officials if they are not taken seriously.
In the case of trafficking, there is the added problem of corruption. According to one of the
service providers interviewed for this report, minors have been caught working in bars, an obvious
violation of the law, but the owners have managed to renew their business permits. This reinforces
the perception that some bar owners have connections in city hall. In fact, some local officials are
said to own clubs and bars, which conflicts with their mandate to enforce the laws and ordinances
against prostitution.
Some police officers are said to be directly involved in perpetuating prostitution, by receiving
protection money from establishments, or from streetwalkers like Emma, who is constantly harassed
by the police who want a share of her hard-earned income.
Merle was only 17 years old when she was brought to a brothel in Manila that catered to Japanese
customers. She was able to escape, but only last December, she saw the same recruiter who got her
in Olongapo recruiting young women again.
The exploitation of women has become even more varied with the progress of technology. Nimia
was offered the job of chatting on the Internet with men. Later, she realized the job entailed doing
very demanding sexual tricks as a cyber sex model as requested by her online clients.
Those who traffic women abroad have connections in the Immigration departments of our
airports, so that even minors like Gladys, who was 16 when she was tricked into working as a
prostitute in Malaysia, was able to pass inspection without any problem.
Trafficking is not only about sexual servitude. It also means being made to work under unfair
conditions, like Miriam who experienced slave labor in Mecca, working for 16 to 18 hours a day until
she collapsed from overfatigue and depression, and for less than the salary stated in her contract.
But for the most part, trafficking is meant to supply the many sex dens and prostitution fronts
abroad, and most of its victims are women and children. Life for a bar girl, said Susana who was
trafficked to Hong Kong when she was 22, is hard and risky, and after taking all those risks, the
chance of having a better life remains uncertain. “You’re selling your body and your soul but it does
Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City ix

not buy you a better life.” This, she sees, is the greatest violence done to women who have been sold
into prostitution like her.
But few of the victims will ever file cases because they do not know their rights, and sometimes,
the people they approach for help do not know it either. The parents of Michelle, who was prostituted
in Malaysia when she was only 17, tried to ask a high government official for help, but they were
told by his office that there was nothing he could do as Michelle had entered the country illegally.
And yet it is clearly stated in R.A. 9208 that victims cannot be held culpable for any immigration
violations they may have committed as a direct result of being trafficked. Rescued victims know
this, but they remain fearful of pursuing their traffickers because they feel vulnerable to retaliation
from the prostitution syndicates. Many blame themselves instead for not reading their contracts
more carefully. Divina felt she had no case because she had willingly signed her contract, although
now it is clear to her that she had been deceived into doing topless dancing in Japan at the age of 19.
Besides, she felt, a legal process would take a long time and would only eat up her savings.
Miriam has found this to be true. After being repatriated from Mecca, she reported her ordeal to
the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority,
the lead agencies that address the rights and welfare of Filipino workers abroad. They referred her
to the Department of Labor and Employment, which then referred her case to the National Labor
Relations Commission. A hearing was set, but on the day of the hearing, Miriam had no money for
transportation and failed to attend. The NLRC decided to refer her case to a Regional Trial Court in
San Fernando, Pampanga, making it even more difficult for her to attend hearings.
These are some of the issues and obstacles faced by VAWC and trafficking survivors, and many
stakeholders are earnest about addressing them. The city governments of Olongapo and Angeles,
for their part, have drafted and passed ordinances, resolutions and executive orders to support R.A.
9262 and R.A. 9208. Institutional mechanisms have been set up to implement these laws. But women
and children who suffer violence within the home, and exploitation and abuse outside, sometimes
do not get the aid and justice they are seeking. It is the intent of this research report to find out
why.
x Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Introduction
The Project

In 2003, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act (R.A.) 9208 to eliminate and punish human
trafficking, especially that of women and children, establishing the necessary institutional
mechanisms for the protection and support of trafficked persons.
The following year, Congress passed R.A. 9262, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act
of 2004, granting government the right to intervene in cases of household violence or abuse against
women and children, of which the most common perpetrators are male relatives or male partners.
Previous to that, such situations were considered private and beyond the jurisdiction of the state.
The laws in themselves are comprehensive. R.A. 9208 calls not only for protection against
trafficking, but for mechanisms to help victims recover from their ordeal and reintegrate into
society. R.A. 9262 recognizes that violence against women and children or VAWC can take many
forms, that it is not just physical harm that constitutes violence but psychological, emotional and
economic abuse as well.
Seven years after the passing of the Anti-Trafficking Act and six years after the Anti-VAWC Act, how
far have these laws gone in addressing the situations to which women and children are the most
vulnerable?
The frontline implementers of these laws are the elected council members of our barangays
(Filipino word for village). In practice, victims of abuse usually seek help from family, friends and
neighbors. But when they do finally enlist the aid of the law, it is barangay officials that they most
often initially run to for rescue and assistance.
It is the aim of this research report to find out how the two laws are being implemented at the
barangay level and how they are being availed of by the vulnerable sectors they address.
The research report itself is part of a four-pronged project called “Private and Public Faces
of Violence Against Women: Addressing Domestic Violence and Trafficking in the Urban Poor
Communities and Entertainment Centers of Angeles City and Olongapo City” (“The Red AVP”). It is
in the context of this project that the research report should be viewed.
The project’s overall goal is to contribute to a rights-based and gender-responsive governance
where women’s rights are contextualized within human rights. It is self-evident, of course, that
women being human are entitled to human rights, but the need to take into consideration the
women’s perspective in legislation, policies and programs is crucial because their unequal status in
society makes them more vulnerable to violence and exploitation than men.
In the rights-based approach to governance, as defined by the United Nations, there are rights-
holders and there are duty-bearers. Rights-holders are entitled to expect to live in dignity, safety
and comfort, while duty-bearers have the obligation to implement the instruments that would make
this come true. In rights-based governance, even the most marginalized should feel empowered to
claim those rights and to hold accountable those who have a duty to act (UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights).
This then is the project’s particular objective: to see how the local government units or LGUs
are fulfilling their obligation to protect and promote the rights of vulnerable populations against
trafficking and violence and to increase the rights-claiming capacities of women.
To achieve this overall goal, we need to: a) identify factors constraining the effective
implementation of the laws against trafficking and VAWC in the selected areas, from a rights- and
Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 1

gender-based perspective; and b) build the capacities of stakeholders to address the identified factors
hindering the fulfillment of these laws.
Working towards these objectives are the four main activities of the project: a) a baseline
report on trafficking and VAWC; b) the capacity-building of stakeholders; c) the development and
distribution of information, education and communication (IEC) materials; and, d) the establishment
of community theater groups.
The present report includes updated data on trafficking and VAWC cases and the LGU and
community initiatives to address them. It is expected that the project will contribute to the:
• increased knowledge and skills of major stakeholders on rights-based planning, case
management and advocacy against trafficking and VAWC;
• increased community awareness on trafficking and VAWC; and,
• increased community participation in the advocacy against trafficking and VAWC.
The Global Realities of VAWC

Violence against women (VAW) is recognized as a form of inequality and a priority issue for women
around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 1997a) Information Pack, at least
one in five women suffer rape or attempted rape in their lifetimes. VAW is present in most societies
but has largely gone unrecognized and unreported. It used to be, and still is in some places, accepted
as a part of human nature. It affects the capacity of women to participate freely and fully in society.
It brings harmful consequences to women’s physical and psychological health. It is also a leading
cause of death among women through murder or suicide (Cheung, et al., 1999).
In the United Nations (UN) Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women or DEVAW
(December 1993), VAW is defined as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to
result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such
acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life, and
includes physical, sexual or psychological violence perpetuated or condoned by the state, wherever
it occurs” (Cheung, et al., 1999).
The latest statistics on VAW is alarming, showing why it is a growing public health concern.
• In every country where reliable, large-scale studies have been conducted, results indicate
that between 10% and 50% of women report that they have been physically abused by an
intimate partner in their lifetime.
• Population-based studies report that between 12% to 25% of women have experienced
attempted or completed forced sex by an intimate partner or ex-partner at some time in
their lives.
• Interpersonal violence was the tenth leading cause of death for women 15-44 years of age in
1998 (The Ford Foundation, 2003).
• Prostitution, trafficking for sex and sex tourism appear to be worsening. According to the
U.S. Department of State’s 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report), there are an estimated
12.3 million adults and children in forced labor, bonded labor and forced prostitution around
the world and that 56% of these victims are women and girls. The State Department further
estimates this illicit global business to be worth $32 billion in the current year.
• 1 million children are exploited by the global commercial sex trade every year (U.S.
Department of State, The Facts About Child Sex Tourism: 2005)
• 80% of transnational victims are women and girls (U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in
Persons Report: 2007).
2 Surviving Violence and Trafficking

A twin issue of gender-based violence (GBV) or VAW is trafficking. Trafficking in persons is defined
as the “illicit and clandestine movement of persons across national and international borders, largely
from developing countries and some countries with economies in transition, with the end goal of
forcing women and girl children into sexually or economically oppressive and exploitative situations
for the profit of recruiters, traffickers and crime syndicates, as well as other illegal activities related
to trafficking, such as forced labor, false marriages, clandestine employment and false adoption”
(UN definition found in General Assembly resolution 49/66).
Different definitions of trafficking contain various elements. The common elements in all
definitions of trafficking include: a) the recruitment and/or transportation of women; b) for work or
service; and c) for the profit of the traffickers (Mekong Region Law Center, 1997).
Accurate figures on trafficking are hard to come by, partly because of the illegality and clandestine
activities involved and partly because the problem has not been fully recognized at an official level
in many countries. A report of the Secretary General of the United Nations to the General Assembly
A/51/309 states that quantitative estimates of the dimensions of the problem are difficult as there
are almost no reliable estimates of the numbers of women who are trafficked, where they come from
and where they are trafficked to. Trafficking as such is not reported as a category in crime statistics
collected by the UN, for example. However, many countries are beginning to collect information on
this issue.
It appears that trafficked women come from almost all over the world, more from some regions
and countries than others. For example, Ghana, Nigeria and Morocco in Africa; Brazil and Columbia
in Latin America; the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean; and the Philippines and Thailand in
Southeast Asia. Research shows that there are well-established links between certain sources and
host countries. Furthermore, after the emergence of the New Independent States of the former
Soviet Union after the fall of the Berlin Wall, it has been noted that a large number of Central and
Eastern European countries have become sources and/or transit countries. The flow is towards
industrialized countries.
The Special Rapporteur on VAWC reported that women are primarily trafficked from the South
to the North, and increasingly from South to South. Patterns of trafficking in women vary according
to changing regional conditions and potential opening up of markets, similar to the supply-demand
curve. Trafficking routes replicate migration routes (Mekong Region Law Center, 1997).
VAWC in the Philippine Context

In the Philippines, concern about VAW has been rising since the 1980s when women non-government
organizations (NGOs) succeeded in persuading the National Commission on the Role of Filipino
Women (NCRFW, now called the Philippne Commission on Women or PCW) to include VAW in the
Philippine Development Plan for Women (PDPW) 1989-1992.
In the current long-term Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development (PPGD) 1995-2025,
VAW is broadly understood as “any violation of a woman’s personhood, mental or physical integrity
or freedom of movement.” The PPGD adopts the UN definition mentioned earlier but culls from
the experiences of Filipino women in enumerating acts of VAW, some of which are not mentioned
in the Beijing Platform for Action, e.g., lesbophobia/homophobia, medical abuse, custodial abuse,
pornography and abuse of women in media, ritual abuse within religious cults, culture-bound
practices such as arranged marriages, and others (The Ford Foundation, 2003).
The PPGD is quite clear about VAW “being in direct contradiction to national and social
development goals.” It “effectively blocks Filipino women’s rightful path to human development and

causes them to withdraw from community life… It undermines their self-confidence and sense of
self-esteem at every level. Physically and psychologically, it jeopardizes their health, human rights
and their capacity to participate, as well as to contribute freely to the society.” The culture of violence
“denies a developing country like the Philippines the full talents of its women.” In fact, it has been
found to be a major factor in the out-migration of many highly skilled and productive Filipinos (The
Ford Foundation, 2003).
In 2008, the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of the National Statistics Office
(NSO) conducted a survey which probed into women’s experiences of violence, particularly on
physical violence and sexual violence. The respondents were women aged 15-49 who were either:
a) never married, b) married or living together, and c) divorced/separated/widowed. The survey
reported that:
• One in five women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, meaning an alarming
20.1% of the respondents have experienced physical violence, some from as young as 15 years
old.
• One in ten women aged 15-49 have experienced sexual violence. The highest incidence
of sexual violence (19.7%) was experienced among those who were divorced/separated/
widowed.
• Majority of the perpetrators of physical violence were the husbands (54.7%), showing that
women were not safe even in their own homes. Similarly for sexual violence, the current
husband/partner was the main perpetrator (60.6%).
• The most common form of spousal physical violence was slapping (8.5%) followed by pushing,
shaking or throwing objects at the woman (8.2%), and hitting her with his fist or with an
object (4.7%).
• The most common form of spousal sexual violence was physically forcing the woman to have
sexual intercourse even when she did not want to (6.3%).
• Of other forms of spousal violence (i.e., emotional violence and economic violence), the most
common forms included insulting the woman or making her feel bad about herself (10.9%),
followed by not allowing her to engage in any legitimate work or the practice of her profession
(8.9%), and saying or doing something to humiliate her in front of others (7.4%).
VAW should be a serious concern to society especially if the battered woman is pregnant. It not
only puts the mother at risk but also the unborn child. The survey showed that almost four out of
100 pregnant women experienced physical violence (3.6%).
Among women who had experienced physical or sexual violence, 26.9% fought back verbally,
21.2% fought back physically, and 17.5% sought help to try to stop the violence. Among those who
sought help, 45.1% sought help from their families, 28.5% from friends and neighbors, and 14.5%
from in-laws. Only 9.3% went to the police and 6.0% to a social service organization.
Between 2008-2009, VAW cases reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP) rose by 37.4%
(from 6,905 in 2008 to 9,485 in 2009) while cases of women in especially difficult circumstances
served by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) increased by 32.1% (from
10,630 in 2008 to 14,040 in 2009) [National Statistical Coordination Board, 2010].
Data culled from the 1995 records of the Women’s Crisis Center showed the following realities of
VAW:
• 7 out of 10 rape survivors were raped by men known to them.
• 60% of rape survivors were forced into early marriages or live-in arrangements with their
assailants.

• 60% of incest survivors were abused by their biological fathers.
• 1 out of 3 incest survivors were abused when they were below 11 years old.
• 60% of the incest survivors reported that their mothers were also battered by their father-
assailants.
• 9 out of 10 battered women experienced marital rape.
• 6 out of 10 battered women were battered during pregnancy.
• 6 out of 10 battered women had unwanted pregnancies.
• 2 out of 10 incest and rape survivors had unwanted pregnancies (The Ford Foundation,
2003).
Looking Through the Gendered Lens: A Framework of Analysis

“The Red AVP” (The Red Anti-Violence Project) is framed from a rights-based and gender-responsive
perspective. Violence against women or VAW—and in the context of the law in the Philippines,
violence against women and their children (VAWC) as enunciated in R.A. 9262—is a twin issue of
trafficking in persons (R.2. 9208).
It has long been recognized by advocates worldwide that women are especially vulnerable to
gender-based violence owing to sociocultural norms that keep them marginalized and subordinate
to men in society. This gender-based discrimination is played out in the everyday lives of women,
starting in their families and within their intimate relationships.
Sexual violence—of which sex trafficking and prostitution are but a part—is then not simply
an issue of lust or libido but a manifestation of unequal power relations between women and men,
and women and patriarchal society in general. However, as in prostitution and trafficking, the
predominant attitude of communities to VAW is that of cynicism (WEDPRO’s approved proposal to
the EU, 2009).
Human trafficking is a grave form of human rights violation that disproportionately targets
women and girl children. Although people may be trafficked for various reasons, sex trafficking
remains one of the critical areas because prevailing attitudes in society towards women and sexuality
reinforce this phenomenon. These societal attitudes also hinder victims of sex trafficking from
mechanisms, structures and services that address the violation of their rights, and may influence
how local government units mandated to provide services for them carry out their tasks (WEDPRO’s
approved proposal to the EU, 2009).
This reality is especially glaring in red light districts and the surrounding communities where
trafficked and prostituted women and girl children are seen as “willing” participants in the sex
trade, leading to a cynical if not callous attitude to their plight.
In fact, one of the reactions that the project team received when they started researching in the
communities was one of amazement at what the fuss was all about. Prostitution is seen as a viable
economic option like any other, especially where poverty is rampant, and they were not alarmed at
how the close proximity to a red light district may be affecting their children.
There is also the issue of criminal syndicates controlling prostitution. They are seen as too huge
to challenge and too dangerous to expose, and if they have the ability to influence some duty-bearers
either through fear or profit, how does this affect the political will to implement the laws that seek
to eradicate trafficking and prostitution?
Both trafficking and violence against women are human rights violations that State parties
to international human rights conventions, particularly the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention Against Trafficking (CAT), are

obliged to address. In the Philippines, several laws have already been enacted to protect and fulfill
women’s human right to be safe from trafficking and violence. However, implementation of these
laws remains amiss, particularly at the local level (WEDPRO’s approved proposal to the EU, 2009 ).
The cities of Angeles and Olongapo have been dubbed “tourist destinations” for both local and
foreign populations, given Clark’s international airport and the presence of “ecotourist” enterprises
in Subic. One of the consequences of these situations is the continuing use of women and children in
so-called “rest and relaxation” or R&R activities and sex tourism. But specific data and information
on this are hard to come by due to the nature of the transactions involved in R&R and given the
fact that under the terms of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the US and the Philippines,
military personnel are supposedly not allowed to fraternize with women involved in the sex
industry. However, the number of entertainment establishments (please see below), the growing
number of migrant women who shift between the two cities looking for “jobs,” and the community’s
attestations are difficult to ignore (WEDPRO’s approved proposal to the EU, 2009).
Number of Registered Entertainment Centers in Angeles City
Graph 1. Number of Registered Entertainment Centers in Angeles City
120
100
80
videoke/karaoke/music lounges
bars/cocktail lounges
60
spa/massage parlors
night clubs
40
20
0
2005 2006 2007 2008
Number of Registered Entertainment Centers in Olongapo City
Graph 2. Number of Registered Entertainment Centers in Olongapo City
70
60
50
Bars/Disco Bars/Cocktail Lounges

40 Music Lounges/Videoke Bars
Night Clubs
Spa/Massage Parlors
Resorts/Bath Houses
30 Billiard/Pool Houses
Amusement Centers
20
10
0
2007 2008 2009

The Philippines is a signatory to the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and committed to the implementation of the 1985 Nairobi
Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, the 1993 Declaration on the Elimination
of Violence Against Women, and the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted during
the 4th World Conference on Women. As part of the government’s international commitment, in
2003, Republic Act 9208, “An Act to Institute Policies to Eliminate Trafficking in Persons Especially
Women and Children, Establishing the Necessary Institutional Mechanisms for the Protection and
Support of Trafficked Persons”—better known as the Anti-Trafficking Law was passed. In 2004, R.A.
9262, “The Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act,” also known as the Anti-VAWC Law,
was passed.
The Anti-VAWC Law granted the government the power to intervene in cases of household violence
or abuse against women and children, as much of the violence happens in the home at the hands of
a male relative or partner, a matter which was previously considered to be private and beyond the
jurisdiction of the state.
The Anti-Trafficking Law developed a human rights framework and defined what constitutes
trafficking, which includes trafficking for sexual exploitation. “Human trafficking is a global
problem. It is modern-day slavery and victims rarely have a voice” (former US Ambassador Kristie
A. Kenny). Yet, one painful reality is that while international trafficking has been given attention,
the nexus to it, studies on local trafficking, remains underresourced and therefore unexplored in
many areas of the country. There is a need to undertake research and actions that address VAW and
trafficking as interconnected issues of human rights (WEDPRO’s approved proposal to the EU, 2009).
This research hopes to contribute in addressing that need.

The Research
Objectives

During the project conceptualization stage, the objectives were stated as, to wit, “to establish a
credible baseline data in selected project sites that show the magnitude of both actual cases and the
vulnerabilities of women and youth to various forms of violence including trafficking, that can be
used for policy and legislative reforms.”
Methodology

Three data collection techniques were used: 1) collection of secondary materials, 2) key informant
interviews (KIIs), and 3) focus group discussions (FGDs).
Collection of Secondary Materials

A review of secondary materials included scanning/review of barangay or village complaints
logbooks, police blotters and reports, social workers reports, NGO reports and case studies. We also
obtained information on the status of VAWC and trafficking cases filed in Family Courts.
Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)

There were four groups of key informants interviewed: a) VAWC and trafficking victim-survivors;
b) barangay officials; c) city government officials which included gender and development (GAD)
focal persons in city government units, social workers from the CSWDO, PNP and their Women’s
Desk officers, judges of Family Courts, city councilor for women and children’s concerns, and vice
mayor; and d) local advocates, mostly NGOs and civil society groups addressing the issues of VAWC
and trafficking.
Different sets of interview guides were prepared: a) for barangay officials, b) for the GAD focal
person, c) for social workers, d) for VAWC and trafficking survivors, and e) for the mayor, vice mayor
and NGOs. But there were three essential questions that were asked of all key informants:
1. What measures have been taken by the LGUs to fully implement the Anti-VAWC and Anti-
Trafficking laws in their respective localities?
2. What are the enabling and disabling factors in the full implementation of these laws?
3. What are their recommendations to improve implementation of R.A. 9262 and R.A. 9208?
Another area of inquiry was on the barangays’ knowledge of the process of handling VAWC cases.
To get a glimpse of this, the key informants were asked to describe how they dealt with VAW cases;
the agencies to which victim-survivors were referred if additional assistance was needed; and what
for them were the indicators that a case has been resolved or closed. KIs (Key Informants) were also
asked to identify the persons who followed up the cases and whether anti-VAWC desks have been
set up in their barangays.
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)

The FGD is a well-targeted and designed meeting that is often used to augment data from surveys.
The objective of augmenting the data was attained after a new batch of people joined the FGDs
in addition to the members of the Project Steering Committee composed of barangay officials,
representatives from the PNP, CSWDO and LGUs, the academe, and women representing local
women’s organizations.

The Validation Workshop

On April 21, 2010, a Validation Workshop was conducted. This was organized to present the findings
of the research to the stakeholders and to gather their feedback.
Highlights of the research findings were presented. These included: a) VAWC and trafficking
statistics gathered from the barangays, CSWDO, WCPD, Family Courts and NGOs; b) the enabling and
disabling factors in the effective implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208; and c) recommendations to
improve implementation of the two laws.
There were 35 participants. Two board members from WEDPRO joined the workshops. The
presence of two Family Court judges—Judge Bernardita Erum and Judge Ma. Angelica Quiambao—
greatly helped in validating the statistics on VAWC and trafficking and in clarifying the problem of
the prosecution service.
The validation workshops attained their objective of validating the findings of the research with
the key informants and other stakeholders from the communities before a final research report is
released.
Limitations

There were only two barangays under study: Bgy. Malabanias and Bgy. Amsic. These barangays were
chosen in consultation with the local women’s organization NAGKA, which is the partner of WEDPRO
in Angeles City.
In the course of the research, two factors hindered the full achievement of the objective, namely,
time limitations and data gaps.
Time Limitations
The Research Team had to interview at least 30 key informants from November 2009 to January 2010;
the schedule was too tight to complete the interviews given the unavailability of key informants
during the Christmas break. The Christmas break lessened the number of days for the interviews.
There were 40 key informants. NAGKA with the assistance of the barangay officials identified the
key informants. The Research Team experienced some difficulty in getting appointments for these
interviews.
Data Gaps
When the Research Team was reviewing the cases filed at the Angeles Family Court, they noticed
that there were more violations of R.A. 7610—the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation
and Discrimination Act—than R.A.s 9262 and 9208.
At the time of the writing, the CSWDO did not have consolidated data on the prevalence statistics
of VAW. However, the CSWDO and WCPD informed the body during the Validation Workshop that
starting April 2010, the barangays, WCPD, CSWDO and Family Courts will be using an intake/update
card for each victim-survivor as suggested by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).
Further, the DSWD is mandated to consolidate the data coming from the different service and
law enforcement agencies, including the barangays and the Family Courts. It is expected that more
accurate prevalence statistics on VAW will be available by then.
Given the above situation, the research refocused its objective and centered on assessing the
current reality of trafficking and VAWC in Angeles City and in identifying the barriers to their
effective intervention.

What were gathered were separate reports from the two barangays under study, Women and
Children Protection Desks (WCPD), City Social Welfare and Development Offices (CSWDO), Family
Courts and NGOs.
The Research Team tried to gather VAWC and trafficking-related studies from local universities
but none were available.

The Olongapo City Report
Sources of Data
Key Informants (please refer to Table 1)

The Research Team interviewed a total of 34 key informants composed of 12 barangay officials, 12
service providers/law enforcers/NGOs, and 10 VAW survivors. The interviews started in November
2009 and were completed in January 2010.
Focused Group Discussions (please refer to Annex 2)

• Three FGDs were conducted on January 22, 2010, one in the morning and two in the afternoon.
• There were a total of 23 participants: 10 for Group 1, seven for Group 2, and six for Group 3.
• Group 1 had two participants from the CSWDO, one councilor from the Committee on Women and
Children (CWP), one clerk of court, one barangay secretary, and five police officers.
• Group 2 had four barangay officials and staff, two members of BUKLOD and one VAW survivor.
• Group 3 had two NGO representatives, two from the academe (Aura College and Gordon College),
one anti-VAW advocate, and the head of the Barangay Human Rights Action Officers (BHRAO) in
Olongapo.
Secondary Materials

Police blotters
• VAWC complaints registered in Bgy. Gordon Heights from 2004-2009 (please refer to Annex 3)
• VAWC complaints registered in Bgy. West Bajac-bajac from 2004-2009 (please refer to Annex 5)
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
• VAWC cases from Bgy. Gordon Heights reported to the DILG in their Compliance Monitoring
Form, from 2006-2008 (please refer to Annex 4)
• VAWC cases from Bgy. West Bajac-bajac reported to the DILG in their VAWC Implementation
Report (please refer to Annex 6)
Olongapo City Police Office
• Detailed Report on Crimes Against Women 2004-2009 (please refer to Annex 7)
People’s Recovery Empowerment Development Assistance (PREDA) Foundation
• Cases of violations of R.A.s 9208 and 9262 (please refer to Annex 8)
Family Court Branch 73
• Statistics and status of VAWC cases filed from 2004-2009 (please refer to Annexes 9-12b)
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)
• Monitoring of cases handled by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (CIDT) of Zambales
(please refer to Annex 13)
City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO)
• Statistics and Report 2005-2008 (submitted by Olongapo City during its participation in the Search for
Outstanding VAW-Responsive LGU held in 2009)
Barangay profiles
• Bgy. Gordon Heights
• Bgy. West Bajac-bajac

Findings
Profile of Women (please refer to Table 6)

Livelihood
• Women from Bgy. West Bajac-bajac (WBB) are mostly fish and fruit vendors. Most of those who
rent accommodations in the community are migrants and those who work in bars and videoke
bars.
• Women from Bgy. Gordon Heights are members of the informal sector, working as laundry
women, cooks, domestic helpers and vendors, while some work at the Subic Bay Metropolitan
Authority (SBMA), the operating and implementing arm of the government to develop the former
US Naval facility on Subic Bay.
• Others are unemployed and stay-at-home mothers.
Educational attainment
• Majority of the women reached high school. Few graduated from college.
Family sizes
• Women from Bgy. WBB have a minimum of four children and a maximum of seven children.
• Women from Gordon Heights have four to eight children.
VAWC and Trafficking Statistics

Statistics on VAWC and trafficking cases were gathered from Bgys. Gordon Heights and West Bajac-
bajac, PNP, CIDG, CSWDO and PREDA (please refer to Table 2).
VAWC
• Woman battering was the most common VAWC-related complaint brought to the barangay’s
attention. Other complaints were economic abuse (abandonment and lack of financial support
for the family), verbal abuse (insults, cursing), psychological abuse (distress caused by the man’s
womanizing), and child abuse (please refer to Tables 7-8).
• There were 68 VAWC cases in Bgy. Gordon Heights reported to the DILG from January 2005-
November 2009, roughly 13 cases per year.
• There were 68 barangay protection orders (BPOs) issued, meaning a BPO was issued for every
complaint recorded for that time period. Bgy. Gordon Heights has a system for listing BPOs, and
including those issued from 2004 to January 4, 2010, there were 71 BPOs issued.
• Each complaint is assigned a blotter number and page number to facilitate traceability.
• A total of six BPOs were issued in Bgy. WBB from Sept. 2006-Sept. 2009, but a scan of their logbook
found 16 VAWC cases, so not all of the cases were issued BPOs.

Trafficking
• Bgy. Gordon Heights had no record of trafficking cases.
• Bgy. WBB had one trafficking case in 2005 of which there is a police report, while another case
in 2007 is recorded in the barangay logbook. The barangay also recorded a trafficking case
wherein the victims were not from the barangay but were seen at a bus terminal located in the
barangay.
• The Research Team observed that the Bgy. WBB tanods (watchmen) made a lot of arrests of
streetwalkers, referred to as “pick-up girls,” at Triangle Park.
• Other trafficking cases were found in the records of the following sources:
• PREDA Foundation – 13 cases (2006-2008)
• CSWDO report – 25 cases (2005-2008)
Cases filed in Family Court

• From 2004-2009, a decision was reached on only one VAWC case. Sixty-five cases were dismissed
and 81 archived.
• There were only three trafficking cases filed in court and their statuses are pending.
Filing Complaints

VAWC and trafficking are happening in the communities, as can be seen from the data gathered from
official records and from PREDA, an NGO. But the higher number of cases cited by key informants
and FGD participants indicated that the reported cases did not reflect the true extent of VAWC and
trafficking. The reporting of trafficking cases was especially minimal. There seems to be a problem
in reporting such cases. Only six KIs and two FGD participants had knowledge of trafficking cases.
While the issue of trafficking is very real, it is underexposed (please refer to Table 13).
Complaints are recorded in the logbooks, but there is no standard intake form for VAWC cases at
the barangay level. Some cases were illegibly written and vital information could not be read.
There is no consolidated prevalence statistics on VAWC and trafficking cases from 2003-2009.
What the Research Team obtained were separate reports from the two barangays, the police, social
services, Family Court and PREDA.
Problems in reporting trafficking cases

• The victims often do not know the identity of their recruiters (please refer to Table 12), so it is
difficult for them to file a case.
• There is also some difficulty in catching a pimp and getting evidence, so the violation can only
be classified as vagrancy and not trafficking.
• When the minors refuse to admit that they were trafficked, the case becomes a prostitution case
and not trafficking.
• The traffickers know how to disguise themselves and they have connections with people in
government.
Filing Cases in Court

It took almost three years for the first VAWC case to reach a decision. It was filed on November 10,
2005, had its pre-trial three months later on May 3, 2006, after which it took another five months to
have its initial trial on Oct. 13, 2006. The case reached a decision on April 23, 2009. Another VAWC

survivor’s case was filed more than two years ago and has only had one hearing. Another VAWC case
also filed two years ago has yet to have a hearing.
Eighty-one VAWC cases were archived, meaning the cases have been put on hold or stored away
while the court waits for the accused to be arrested. The cases have not been dismissed, but no
arraignment or trial can be scheduled until such time. After the case has been archived and remains
inactive for a number of years, it is terminated. The case is considered closed and in effect, the
perpetrator has gotten away with his crime.
There were only three trafficking cases filed in court and their statuses are pending. This
confirms the feedback from key informants that there is some difficulty in filing trafficking cases.
The slow process in resolving cases is due to the fact that there is no regular judge at Family
Court, so the hearing is scheduled only three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), and
there is also a lack of prosecutors. Prosecutors are available only on Mondays and Fridays.
The Service Providers and VAWC

The most common VAWC-related complaint that the barangays and service agencies received was
woman battering. But despite knowing that the problem exists, and despite their own willingness to
help the women pursue justice, service providers have been stymied by several factors:
Non-cooperation from victims

Four KIs have each experienced helping a woman file a police complaint against her abuser only to
have her retract it later. In one case, a woman was rescued by the police after her relatives asked
the help of a famous TV crime reporter, and yet the woman would not file a case. In another one,
the perpetrator was a drug user and owned a gun. The authorities were able to confiscate the gun,
the man went into rehab, and now the woman is living with him again. In one unusual instance, a
drunken and physically handicapped woman did not want the perpetrator arrested. So both of them
were arrested for obstruction of justice.
Four KIs considered retraction as one of the most difficult cases to handle, especially when the
physical abuse is so evident (please refer to Tables 7-9). They mentioned two cases of grave physical
injuries, one of which involved a woman who had been badly beaten around the head. And yet
despite being given enough information about the law, the victim still refused to file a case. KIs have
said that even after assisting the victim secure a BPO, or file a police complaint, or even when a case
is already in court, they will later learn that the woman has withdrawn the case. Sometimes, the KIs
find it difficult to witness women giving in to their powerlessness, and the perpetrators exercising
their complete power over the women.
Reasons for non-cooperation
There are many reasons why an abused woman will not pursue her case. Some of those mentioned
by the KIs were:
• fear
• economic dependence on the perpetrator
• insecurities
• lack of relatives and friends who can assist her
• the power of the perpetrators and traffickers, because of their:
— ties to the military or police
— access to weapons
— money connections

Perpetrators in hiding
Another difficulty faced by service providers is when the perpetrator goes into hiding, or has no
fixed address, actively evading the serving of barangay summons or court papers. And yet some of
them still manage to harass or threaten their victims.
Service providers also at risk

The key informants said that a case becomes doubly difficult when the abuser or trafficker is a
member of the military or police, as it also puts their lives as service providers at risk. Two KIs said
they have received threats from perpetrators.
Barangays’ Handling of VAWC Cases

Part of the purpose of the research was to find out how well the barangays understood the Anti-
VAWC and Anti-Trafficking Acts. From here would emanate how effectively they implemented these
laws. Key informants were asked to describe their respective barangay’s processes in handling VAWC
cases, the agencies to which they referred victim-survivors for additional assistance if needed, how
cases are followed up, and if they have already set up an anti-VAWC desk.
They were also asked to enumerate what they considered as indicators that a case has been
resolved or closed.
NGOs were asked to provide the same information.
Processing complaints
It was observed that barangay officials knew the basic processes involved in handling VAWC cases.
They blottered the complaints, investigated them, explained the law and advised the women, issued
BPOs when the complainants applied for them, and referred them to agencies that could assist
them.
Referring cases
For additional assistance, barangay officials referred the victim-survivors mainly to the DSWD. But
there are also other agencies that can assist them: the WCPD (Women and Children Protection Desk)
of the PNP, James Gordon Hospital, BUKLOD and Consuelo Foundation. The business community was
also approached to give women jobs.
However, there were instances when barangay officials encouraged the settling of cases. These
agreements, called “kasunduan,” were signed by the parties involved and were recorded in the
logbooks.
Following up cases
At Bgy. WBB, the Barangay Peace and Safety Officer (BPSO) followed up cases through home visits, or
the purok (barrio) leaders did the follow-up and reported to the barangay. At Bgy. Gordon Heights,
the purok leaders did the follow-up and submitted the follow-up notice to the barangay to inform
them that the beatings had stopped.
There is no clear guideline as to whether following up cases is mandatory. It was also not clear
whether this was the task of the BPSO or the purok leaders.

Setting up anti-VAWC desks
Section 47(f) of R.A. 9262 stipulated that a barangay should have an anti-VAWC desk officer who
shall coordinate a one-stop help desk, and that as much as possible, this help desk should be open
24 hours.
But at the time of the research, no anti-VAWC desks had been set up yet in the two barangays.
Handling of VAWC cases were an add-on responsibility of barangay officials. In Bgy. WBB, there was
some confusion as to whose responsibility this should be. Three KIs said they have a women’s desk
that takes care of VAWC cases, while one KI said it is the task of the BPSO and the Lupon (Lupong
Tagapamayapa, peace committee), and another said it is the Barangay Human Rights Action Officer’s
(BHRAO).
When a case is considered closed

According to the barangay officials, a case is considered closed or resolved if any of the following
conditions are present:
• if the couple has agreed to settle amicably and sign a kasunduan
• when the children are rescued and are in the custody of the DSWD
• when the complainant reports that their problem is already resolved
• when the barangay captain decides that the case is closed
City-level officials and NGOs considered a case resolved:
• when it has been dismissed
• when the decision is released and promulgated by the Family Court
• when the victim forgives the husband and they have reconciled
Only one key informant said that conviction was the indicator of success.

Factors that Enable the Effective
Implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208
(please refer to Table 11)
According to Sylvia H. Guerrero and Luis M. Pedroso in their Handbook for Monitoring Intervention
Programs to Stop Gender Violence (2002), the factors that enable their implementation are resources
devoted to the attainment of objectives as well as support provided by government and other sectors,
such as funds, personnel, facilities, equipment and supplies. It also includes such factors as laws,
regulations and requirements that facilitate programs. Their definition facilitated the categorization
of responses given by the key informants. The key informants cited five factors that enabled their
implementation and some of the concrete steps the barangays have taken to implement the laws.
Five major enabling factors cited by KIs

1. Policy mandate
2. LGU/government support in terms of human and material resources
3. Coordination and networking between and among various stakeholders
4. Setting up of systems and mechanisms
5. GO and NGO programs to address VAWC
Steps that have helped KIs implement R.A.s 9262 and 9208

• The use of standard forms for the application of Barangay Protection Order (BPO) and Temporary
Protection Order (TPO) to facilitate the process
• CIDG has a Sunday school for 3-to-15-year-olds who are out of school
• Separate blotter book for VAWC cases
• Passage of a resolution formally activating all human rights action centers
• A human rights team well-versed in the laws, such as what the NGOs have, who conduct their
own in-service training
Steps to address trafficking

There were only six KIs and two FGD participants who had knowledge about trafficking happening in
their communities. But all the KIs and FGD participants had a hand in coming up with the following
recommendations on how barangays/LGUs can address the issue:
• Make a listing of entertainment establishments and monitor the women who work in bars. If the
bars are caught hiring minors, the local authorities will process a case against the owners.
• Adopt/implement curfew in the barangays to limit the movement of minors.
• Implement the laws passed by the city and the national government.
• Inspect/monitor Triangle Park where most of the streetwalkers congregate.
• Give lectures to the women who are arrested for violating the law before they are released.

Factors that Constrain the Effective
Implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208
While there are many enabling factors, there are also many constraints to the effective
implementation of the laws. These constraints can be classified into structural, political and
sociocultural constraints.
Structural constraints

Three major problems that delay the implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208 are those that are related
to: a) the prosecution service; b) social services; and c) law enforcement.
Prosecution service
There is no regular Family Court judge, so the hearing is scheduled only three times a week (Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays) and there is also the lack of prosecutors. Prosecutors are only available
Mondays and Fridays.
Social services
The DSWD’s priority is to return minors to their families. According to KIs, the families usually
convince the minors to withdraw the case and accept settlements, or when the minors are released
by DSWD, they do not appear in court hearings so cases are dismissed.
Law enforcement
According to a KI, bar owners who are caught using minors are able to reopen a few days after a
raid or they simply change the name of the bar and secure a new business permit. This reinforces
the perception that bar owners have connections in the city government. Another key informant
claims that some police officers receive protection money from the establishments, thus directly
perpetuating prostitution.
Political constraints
KIs saw two constraints that were political in nature. One is our political system which changes the
leadership down to the barangay level when there is a change in administration. This affects the
continuity of programs and the people who are trained to handle VAWC cases.
The other constraint is the difficulty of working with politicians who do not welcome proposals
and initiatives from outside groups, more especially from those who are not of their political
party.
Socio-cultural constraints
One of the obstacles cited by service providers and NGOs is the non-cooperation of victim-survivors.
Women repeatedly get beaten, but they do not file cases, or if they do, they withdraw them for
the sake of the children. NGOs and service providers feel there is nothing more they can do when
victims refuse to cooperate despite their inputs and advice.

The major cause of victim-survivors’ hesitation or difficulty in reporting the crime is their
economic dependence on their husbands. But other causes are more sociocultural, such as women’s
beliefs regarding marriage and relationships and that it is a woman’s responsibility to maintain
harmony in the family.
Many women are confined to the home, which contributes to their lack of exposure and knowledge
about the laws that can protect them from violence.
Religion has a great influence on how women react to violence, often making them passive and
submissive. A Filipino woman endures the battering and forgives her batterer instead of exercising
her rights.
Other beliefs that delay the implementation of laws are the parents’ perception that they own
their children, so they can do anything they want with them, and bar owners’ perception of women
as mere attractions for their business.
Problems related to trafficking

• There is no clear process on how to deal with trafficking.
• Advocacies and campaigns against trafficking do not receive the same kind of support as
campaigns against VAWC because the issue is not as exposed.
• Victims do not file cases for fear of retaliation from crime syndicates.

The Survivors
The Research Team interviewed five VAWC survivors and five trafficking survivors.
Profiles of the women (please refer to Table 14)

• Four of the survivors are in the 20-30 age bracket while the oldest survivor is in the 60-70 age
bracket. Five reached high school and three were able to graduate. Three reached college, and
one was able to graduate. Two had only elementary education.
• Five are originally from Luzon, three from the Visayas, and two from Mindanao. At present, all
are residents of Olongapo City.
• Nine of the survivors have children.
• Six worked in local bars as waitresses, three were overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who worked as
dancers and/or entertainers or bar girls. One was previously an accounting clerk, and the others
are laundry women, vendors, domestic helpers and cleaners. At present, two are still working as
bar girls in the local bars, one is a hospital utility person, one is a house caretaker and at the same
time a barangay rescuer, and others do odd jobs like cleaning, vending or washing clothes. Two are
unemployed. One works as a streetwalker.
• In the FGDs, some participants spoke of battered women in their communities. They knew of
VAWC cases being heard/handled by Lupon members, being referred to the DSWD and PNP,
VAWC victims being treated in the barangay, and VAWC cases filed in court.
Profiles of the VAWC perpetrators and traffickers

The profile of the perpetrators and traffickers were culled from the survivors. Three of the VAWC
perpetrators were husbands of the survivors, while two were live-in partners. Most of the traffickers
had no relation to their victims.
Nature of violence

Physical abuse
• All five VAWC survivors experienced physical violence which included beating, choking, punching,
being hit with objects, having their arms twisted, and being threatened with a knife.
Economic abuse
• Three survivors said they were not given enough money for their families’ sustenance. One had
to make do on an insufficient allotment to support six children.
Psychological abuse
• The survivors suffered psychological abuse because of their husbands/male partners’ womanizing.
One survivor had nightmares thinking about her husband living with another woman abroad.
• Some of the women were stalked by their ex-husbands or partners and they feared they would
be attacked at any time.

Duration and frequency of violence

Three of the survivors were battered since their children were small. One of them is still being
battered, but this has lessened since she learned about her rights under R.A. 9262. Physical violence
for two survivors has stopped because of R.A. 9262 but now they are being stalked. Two battering
survivors who filed cases in court two years ago also experience psychological violence because of
their ex-husbands/ex-partners’ stalking.
In the trafficking cases, the longest time a survivor was trapped in a sex den was two years, while
the shortest was one week, before they were able to escape their sexual slavery.
Reaction of VAWC and Trafficking Survivors

and Status of their Cases (refer to Table 17)
All five VAW survivors reported the violence to the police or to the barangay but only two of them
filed cases. One of them experienced battering before the passage of R.A. 9262. She left her husband
for two years when she could no longer endure the battering.
One survivor did not know about R.A. 9262 earlier but would fight back when her husband hurt
her and reported the violence to the barangay, but nothing happened. She is from Mindanao and has
no relatives who could help her, while her in-laws are not sympathetic to her situation and were able
to persuade the barangay to let them handle the issue between the couple.
One of the cases filed two years ago has yet to have a hearing, while the other case has had an
initial hearing, but the second hearing was postponed because the lawyers didn’t show up in court.
None of the trafficking survivors filed cases.
Support System of VAWC Survivors

For VAWC survivors, three are being helped by BUKLOD. The others get support from daughters,
neighbor, social worker and fiscal.
For trafficking survivors, all of them have BUKLOD as their support group. One survivor was
helped by a police officer, as well as getting support from her grandmother and aunt in addition to
BUKLOD.
Present Concerns of VAWC Survivors

Three of the survivors are still being harassed by their former husbands or partners. Two of them
hope that their cases will be resolved soon so they can live in peace, while the third would like to
reopen her case so that the harassment will stop. One survivor hopes to get a visa so she can work
abroad and gain back her self-esteem. Another survivor suggested increasing the bail for anti-VAWC
violators to make it more difficult for them to be released.
One trafficking survivor hopes to finish her studies and get a stable job, or find someone who will
marry her, or that one of her children can get a stable job.
Another survivor is concerned that some bar women bring their children to work. This exposes
them to the bar culture at an early age, and are unconsciously being groomed to be the next
generation of bar girls.

Survivors’ Stories
Note: All names are fictitious.
VAWC

Agnes
Agnes is 62 years old and was originally from Surigao. She has seven children but one child passed
away.
She is familiar with bars as she used to work as a food server in a bar in Cebu when she was
still studying. She studied during the day and worked in the bar from 7-10 p.m., managing to earn
enough to support herself as well as send money back to her family in Surigao.
She met her husband in Cebu. He was originally from Nueva Ecija and he brought her there after
they got married, after which they transferred to Olongapo. That was the start of her difficult life.
She had no money, the children were getting sick and her husband was a womanizer and violent. He
would batter and choke her. She had contusions all over her body, including her breasts, and lumps
on her head. She has lost almost all of her teeth from the battering, and she has goiter, which she
thinks is one of the effects of the battering. In addition to the physical abuse, her husband didn’t
give her money for the family’s sustenance.
She shared her problem with a teacher, but the latter simply advised her to “keep the
communication line open.” There was no R.A. 9262 at the time. Her father told her to accept what
was happening in her marriage and obey the wishes of her husband. Her religion had taught her
that once you have committed yourself in marriage you have to stick to it through all its ups and
downs. There was no provision in the marital contract that you can get out of a marriage if you are
not happy with it.
But she believed deep in her heart that her husband had no right to beat her and she looked for
solutions to her predicament. She attended different kinds of training until she met the women
from BUKLOD and she was enlightened about her rights.
One day her husband left her for another woman and disappeared for five years. By then, they
already had seven children, with the youngest only three months old. She asked around for work
and fortunately, the godfather of her youngest child was able to get her a job as a waitress in the bar
where he also worked.
The work started at 6 in the evening. At first, she felt awkward about entertaining customers but
she learned to do it for the sake of her children. She became friends with one foreign customer and
she shared with him the story of her violent marriage and why she decided to work in the bar. They
became close and a relationship developed which lasted for more than a year. When he proposed
marriage, she told him that she would ask her children first, but they rejected the idea of having
their father replaced by a foreigner. Agnes also had doubts about the marriage proposal. She felt her
responsibility to her children was greater than her own happiness. She separated from the man and
stopped working in the bar. She went back to doing odd jobs like washing and ironing clothes and
vending until she found regular employment as a hospital utility person.
In 1990, her husband came back. He approached the children first, going to their school to ask
them to tell their mother that he wanted to come back. Despite his violent streak, his children had
good memories of their father when they were little. He used to carry them around and play with

them. Agnes could not refuse his request because she knew that they were still married and she also
pitied her children who had been longing for their father.
But the violence resumed. It was the verbal abuse that affected her more this time. He called her
good for nothing and dependent on him, forgetting that when he had abandoned them, she was the
one who had kept the family going. When she could no longer endure the violence, she left home for
two years. But when she learned that nobody was caring for the children, she decided to endure the
abuse for their sake and came back.
This time, she felt better equipped to deal with the violence. She asked the help of the barangay
twice when she was beaten. She secured a medico-legal certificate and her husband was jailed for
three days. She told him to leave the house but until now he still lives there because he’s already 66
years old and has nowhere to go, no woman would take him anymore. Agnes goes to BUKLOD every
time she feels the need for support. At least she has a safe house she can run to. She feels that her
knowledge of R.A. 9262 is protecting her from being battered again.
Marta
Marta is 31 years old and was originally from Samar. She works in a bar to support her two children,
her mother and two siblings.
She experienced violence from her two live-in partners. Her first partner was an extremely
jealous man who suspected her of having an affair. Even when she was pregnant with their first
child, he continued to mistrust her. He was violent during her pregnancy and even when she had
just given birth. His jealousy made her decide to end their relationship.
She thought she would have a better life with her second partner, but she experienced worse
violence. He also battered her when she was pregnant. He would punch her and hit her with anything
he could grab. He would manhandle her and thrash her.
One day he arrived home drunk while she was nursing their baby and began punching her. For
fear that he would hit their daughter, she threw her on the bed. Fortunately, there were a lot of
pillows and the baby was unhurt. She left her partner after he went to sleep and stayed with her
mother. But the next day, he followed her and threatened to kill the baby if she did not return to
their house.
She suffered a worse beating a month after she gave birth to their second child. BUKLOD assisted
her in securing a medico-legal certificate and a BPO and in filing a case. The BPO saved her from
further physical violence, but then he began stalking her. He threatened to kill her if he ever saw her
with another man. Alternately, he would plead with her to withdraw the case for the sake of their
child, and one day she did. She said she would do it but she would not live with him anymore. He
then asked her to visit him so he could see their child. At first she agreed but when he started forcing
himself on her, she rarely visits him anymore.
He threatens to go to the bar and make a scene if she does not visit him. He forces her into the
tricycle he is riding if he sees her walking outside the bar. She wants to reopen her case to stop him
from making her life difficult. Unfortunately, she has no time to go to the police station. She goes to
the bar at 7 in the evening (so she can get some sleep before working) and leaves at 4 in the morning,
doing the marketing on her way home. She gets even less sleep if her children have school activities
she has to attend. She is physically separated from her partner but the violence continues.

Elena
Elena is 42 years old and was originally from Misamis. She is an accounting graduate and used to be
employed. She has been married for 15 years and has six children. The eldest is 14 years old and the
youngest is four.
Her husband was a drug addict who spent more time with his friends and used his meager
income on his vices, depriving his own family. He was also a womanizer. She experienced physical,
emotional and psychological abuse at his hands. During one quarrel, he confiscated her cell phone
so she couldn’t call anyone for help. He would push and punch her, but ironically Elena described
this as “slight” physical abuse. He even bit her once for texting his employer and asking about him.
When her husband left to work as an overseas contract worker in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE), she thought she would be free from the violence, but she felt that her situation had actually
worsened. She felt imprisoned in her own house. She and the children lived in the same compound
where her in-laws resided, and she felt spied upon. She felt inhibited from going out with her friends
or dressing the way she wanted because her in-laws had their eyes on her.
She also had difficulty in managing the 20,000 pesos monthly remittance her husband sent. They
had six children but she was expected to have some savings from it. The suspicions of her in-laws,
the difficulty of managing a limited allotment, and the demands of raising six children by herself
were made heavier when the husband sent a cell phone to one of the children with a picture of a
woman on the screen. She called him up to confront him about the woman. He denied he was having
an affair. But during one of his calls home, she heard the voice of a woman in the background. When
she asked him who it was, the cell phone went dead.
She felt drained by the psychological abuse. She began to have nightmares. She became short-
tempered, affecting her relationship with her children.
She sees the violence turning her into a person that she does not want to be. She hopes to save
some money to pay for a visa so she can work abroad, but she also fears how this would affect her
children, especially the youngest who is only four years old. She wishes she had known about R.A.
9262 earlier. She once applied for a BPO and attempted to file a case with the help of BUKLOD but her
in-laws knew some of the barangay officials and were able to convince them that they could help
resolve the couple’s problems.
Elena fears for other women, especially poorer women. If violence can happen to a college
graduate like her, she could not imagine how women of lower education would be able to save
themselves from the violence they experience daily. She hopes more women will be exposed to more
seminars so they will know their rights and exercise those rights.
Carmen
Carmen is 69 years old. She was originally from Tacloban but has been a resident of Olongapo since
1968. She has three daughters.
She married a drunkard and a womanizer, who started battering her when their eldest was still
a child. She always seemed to have a black eye. The worst battering she experienced was when she
was pregnant with their second child. From the fourth month to her ninth month, she was subjected
to numerous incidences of battering. As a consequence, the child was dead when it came out, with
signs of having been crushed in the womb.
The last battering happened on May 18, 2007. The husband came home to punish her because she
had had the “temerity” to confront his mistress. He tried to attack her with a pipe. Fortunately, she
was able to run outside the house before he could hit her and went to the barangay for help. But the

barangay sided with her husband and she was humiliated. She went to the DSWD, which advised her
to report it to the police. At the station, she was asked to make a statement and she was also advised
to secure a BPO from the barangay captain.
Her husband was given a copy of her statement and he responded with the help of the Public
Attorney’s Office (PAO). She was assisted by the police to go to the judge. She was again asked to make
a statement for the preliminary hearing but until now there has been no hearing.
The battering has stopped with the issuance of the BPO, but her fear remains, because the
husband lives in the same compound as she does. Carmen believes he can attack her at anytime
since she has no son to protect her. She prays that the Family Court will act speedily on her case so
that she and her daughters can live in safety.
Rosario
Rosario is 35 years old and was originally from Dumaguete City. Two years ago, a recruiter from an
agency came to their place and offered work for girls. She was told she would be a domestic helper
but when she arrived in Olongapo she landed as a bar waitress. She was only there for a few months
because she didn’t like the work. The manager could not force her to continue since she didn’t owe
him money. She later found a partner. She worked as the caretaker of a house to support herself and
her partner.
It was with her second partner that she experienced battering. They had been living together
for more than a year but she didn’t want to have a child with him while he was jobless. She also felt
that he didn’t respect her. He treated his friends better than he did her even though she was the one
supporting him.
She bought him a motorcycle and helped him get a driver’s permit so he could earn a living.
Still, he continued to disrespect her and one day she got fed up and confiscated his license. He got
so mad he almost killed her. She fought back but he was stronger. He sat on her back and twisted her
arms and threatened her with a knife. She was able to break free and run to the barangay. A tanod
accompanied her to the police station. They secured a medico-legal certificate and she was advised
to go to the CSWDO. A case was filed.
It’s been almost two years since that filing. Last November, she felt as if she was being watched
as she walked the street. She later learned that her ex-partner’s sister had paid for his 500-peso bail.
She had not been informed by the court or by the CSWDO of his release. She got a photocopy of the
release order and went to the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) to ask about it, but she was not able
to see her attorney. He was too busy attending hearings. Although now fearing for her safety and
always on the alert, she is determined to fight her ex-partner.
That was the worst thing she had ever experienced with him. Before, his abuse had been mostly
verbal. The incident happened two years ago but there are still black marks on her arms and torso.
He was able to evade the tanod when the barangay tried to summon him. He kept himself out of
sight, but when Rosario was out of the house, she could hear his insults and curses. She reported this
to the barangay and she was advised to file a case. She filed the case in May 2008 and the man went
into hiding in June. But he was caught and arrested on Sept. 16, 2009. The first hearing was held on
Nov. 23, 2009 and the second hearing was scheduled for Feb. 1, 2010, but this was postponed because
their lawyers didn’t appear.
The survivor continues to be harassed. She lives in fear and has no relatives to support her.
Despite the court case, the perpetrator is free and stalking her. She prays that her case will be
resolved soon before the perpetrator attacks her again. This is a very concrete case of how delay in
the legal process can put someone’s life at risk.

Trafficking

Emma
Emma is a 21-year-old native of Olongapo City. Her parents left her with her grandmother when
she was nine years old and never came back. She fended for herself by begging in the streets. Later,
she became a “rugby” girl, someone who gets high from sniffing the solvent. She was rescued and
put in a center managed by the DSWD. She was released from the center when she was 18 years old
because she was no longer a minor. She went to work in a bar and at 20 she got pregnant. She became
a streetwalker to support herself and her baby. The baby is now one year old and Emma has only
BUKLOD to support her. Her mother passed away in 2008 and her father is in prison for murder. She
hopes to visit him when she has extra money. She joined the adult literacy classes of BUKLOD and
hopes to graduate from college. She dreams that one day she can work abroad and have a better life.
But for now, she endures the life of a streetwalker, where she is constantly harassed by the police
who want a share of her hard-earned income.
Divina
Divina is a 28-year-old Amerasian who was born and raised in Olongapo City. She was 19 years old
when the neighbor she was working for as a domestic helper and nanny offered her a job in Japan.
At the time she was in second year college and studying to be a computer technician, but she had no
second thoughts about accepting the job offer. She thought this was a better and faster way to help
her family.
Things happened quickly after that. She signed a contract and was made to learn 20 different
dances because she was supposed to be a cultural dancer. But when she arrived in Japan, she found
out that she was meant to dance topless. She called up her parents, but they did not know what to
do. All she could do was cry. Her co-workers tried to console her, but their ultimate advice was for
her to do what was written in her contract. She realized she had not been meticulous in reading it
because everything had happened in a rush. She felt helpless, but her desire to help her family made
her endure the abuse she experienced there. There were customers who sexually abused her. She
also had problems with co-workers who resented losing some of their customers to her.
Despite the trauma of her first trip, Divina went to Japan two more times. On her first trip, she
had traveled only with the manager. On the second trip, she was with four other girls, and the last
time she went, she applied on her own through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration
(POEA), because the manager did not get a contract anymore. Each time she went to Japan, she
worked there for six months.
The bar fine was shared 50-50 with the manager. In addition to a regular salary, the dancers got
tips for their performances and commissions from the drinks consumed, as well as food allowance
and free accommodations. On her first stint, she shared a house with three girls and one male. The
second time, there were 24 of them, all Filipinos.
She didn’t file a case against her manager because she knew that a legal process would take a
long time and would eat up her money. She also felt she had no case because she had willingly signed
the contract, although now it was clear to her that she had been tricked into doing topless dancing.
Working in Japan required a lot of guts. One needed to be open and willing to do whatever the
customers wanted. The work was also risky, especially if the customer was a member of the Yakuza,
the organized crime syndicate. If the dancers felt it was too dangerous to go out with a customer, they

made excuses. They feigned illness or put iodine on their sanitary pads to fake menstruation. Their
work involved a lot of health risks. They had a 15-year-old co-worker who contracted a sexually-
transmitted disease (STD). They believed she got it from having multiple partners. She got sick three
months after she arrived and was sent home.
Trafficking in women is big money. Divina paid her manager 30,000 pesos the first time she
went to Japan. And despite the hardships and risk and her distaste for the job, it was financially
rewarding. From the tips alone, she earned the equivalent of 65,000 pesos, more than 10 times the
minimum monthly wage in 2002 when she was first trafficked. The dancers performed four times a
night and each time got tips. They were supposed to give half to the manager, but they managed to
keep some back by hiding the money in their boots.
But even after three trips to Japan, Divina has no savings. She was able to build a house for her
parents and provide for their needs while she was working, but the house was demolished because
they didn’t own the land. Now she has a three-year-old child and sustains her family by doing odd
jobs like cleaning and vending. She thinks of working in Japan again, but won’t leave while the child
is too young, and by the time it is big enough to leave with her mother or sister, Divina might be too
old to work in Japan. But with BUKLOD’s assistance, she hopes to finish her studies and get a stable
job someday.
Merle
Merle is 27 years old with two children. She had been a working student, going to school by day and
working in a restaurant by night when she was approached by a recruiter with an irrestible offer.
She had been earning 100-200 pesos a day at the restaurant. The recruiter promised her a nightly
income of 3,000-4,000 pesos.
This happened 10 years ago when she was 17 years old. She was brought to a house in Cavite.
It was a big house with 30 rooms, with two girls occupying each room. In the evening, they were
brought to Candy’s Bar on Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, Metro Manila. It was not an open bar. There
were cubicles inside and it catered to Japanese customers.
The women got free board and lodging but received no salary. Merle cried when she discovered
the nature of her work and wanted to go home, but she was not allowed to leave. She was closely
watched, and when she tried to contact an aunt, she got caught and her cell phone was confiscated.
The house was like a detention center, with grills on the windows and a padlock on the door.
One week after she arrived, she became sick and was excused from working. She was left alone
in the house while the rest went to the club. Looking out the back window, she noticed a group of
teenagers playing basketball. She threw them a note asking them to help her escape. In the evening,
after everyone had gone to the club, the boys came and cut the grills and helped her get out. They
gave her 20 pesos for fare and instructed her to ask for the address of a bus terminal in the city.
While riding a jeepney, a fellow passenger noticed that she was crying and asked her what the
matter was. Merle related her story. He accompanied her to the bus station and bought her a ticket
for Olongapo.
She went back to work in her former restaurant. A few days later, the recruiter came and
confronted her. Fortunately, the owner of the restaurant knew her story and sympathized with her.
He warned the recruiter not to come back. But last December 2009, she saw the same recruiter along
Magsaysay Boulevard recruiting young women again.
Merle now has a family of her own and is being supported by her husband who works regularly.
She said it is very tempting to work in bars in Olongapo because there are so many of them and they

are always in need of young girls. The managers know how to fake the ages of minors and have police
connections who help them when they get raided. They simply pay them off and they are open
again. But the women in the bars are the ones at risk because if they are caught three times without
the proper documents, they can be imprisoned without bail.
She also observed that some bar women bring their children with them, so the children are
exposed at an early age to life in the bars. They become familiar with it and learn to accept it as a
normal and acceptable way to make a living. Indirectly, these children become the next generation
of bar workers, and true enough, once they reach 18 years old, many of them apply to work there.
Susana
Susana is a 26-year-old single mother with a seven-year old son. She started working abroad as a
bar girl in 2006. Before that she had been working in local bars. She and her fellow recruits were
promised much bigger pay than what they were getting at the local bars plus free board and lodging.
But when they arrived in Hong Kong, they found out that not only did they have to repay their
travel expenses, they had to spend for their own board and lodging. They learned to hide some of
the tickets they got from the drinks offered to them so they could have money to buy food with.
They felt they were being overcharged on food and rent. Even the price of their plane tickets got
tripled. At the end of their first month, they barely had enough money left after the cost of their
plane tickets, and their board and lodging had been deducted by the managers. The managers were
a Filipino couple residing in Hong Kong. They had a big, luxurious house in Las Piñas, Metro Manila.
The trafficked women saw the managers living the good life at their expense.
Learning from her first experience, Susana now goes abroad on her own. She has been to Hong
Kong five times, and also to Singapore and Macau. It’s risky work. Bar girls are closely monitored by
club managers for fear that they will disappear without paying their debts and there’s always the
danger of being deported or barred from entering the country. Tourists are only allowed to stay in
Hong Kong for two weeks. Before the two weeks expire, a bar girl exits to China and then returns
to Hong Kong and she needs to have a plausible reason when she’s asked by Immigration why she’s
coming back. Some of Susana’s friends have been deported because they didn’t have good answers.
They were brought straight to a plane leaving for the Philippines (they called this “A-A,” airport to
airport), and all their things were left behind in their condominiums.
Susana had a better experience in Singapore compared to Hong Kong. Her manager was a Filipina
married to the Chinese bar owner. There were 20 of them living in a condominium. They were allowed
to stay for one month in Singapore and renew it for another month. But if one got caught working
while on a tourist visa, he or she would be banned for life from entering Singapore again. Deportees
were imprisoned for 24 hours and given two to three days to pack their things.
One’s health was also at risk. Susana once had a Korean customer whose genitals had been
enlarged with silicon to the size of a drinking glass. She was lucky not to suffer lacerations. Other
customers made abnormal requests. One enjoyed watching her use a vibrator to reach orgasm. At
least she knew how to negotiate with customers to make them use a condom and she would back out
of any transaction if a customer refused to wear one.

She wishes that someone would marry her. She has been working for almost four years but she
has no savings. Aside from her seven-year-old son, she also supports her mother, an aunt, and a
sister with a child whose father abandoned them. She doesn’t think she has a chance of getting a
good job because she’s only a high school graduate and competition is stiff. Life for a bar girl, she
says, is hard and risky, and after taking all those risks, the chance of having a better life remains
uncertain. You’re selling your body and your soul but it does not buy you a better life. This, she sees,
is the greatest violence done to bar girls like her.
Evelyn
Evelyn is 47 years old. She has four children. The eldest is 23 years old and the youngest is 13.
She started working when she was nine, selling cigarettes, after her father abandoned her and
her two siblings. When she was 14, she worked as a domestic helper.
Her mother had a live-in partner, a drunkard who had his eye on Evelyn. The first times he
attempted to molest her, her mother put a stop to them, but he tried so many times that her mother
later began siding with him, which made Evelyn decide to leave home. But at the two places where
she worked as a domestic helper, she had suffered rape attempts. Fortunately, she was able to escape
from those houses.
Then in 1979 when she was 19 years old, she went to work in Japan. She was supposed to receive
$300, but her manager and promoter, both Filipinos, took off $100. Her first day on the job was
traumatic. Her employer told her that she was to dance naked. She refused because she had signed
on to be a cultural dancer. Her co-workers tried to tell her to do as she was told as she had already
been paid. She didn’t want to, so she was locked in a room. She managed to escape by jumping from
the third floor.
It was the middle of the night and she didn’t know where to go. Luckily, a kind-hearted American
military man saw her and asked her why she was crying. He brought her to his barracks and hid
her there for a week until she could go to her promoter. She wanted to go home, but the promoter
told her that what she could do was to get her reassigned to the U.S. Marines’ station. Evelyn agreed
to do it because she knew that her family was counting on the money she could send them. She felt
fortunate that her manager was very good to her. She treated Evelyn like a daughter and didn’t make
her go back to the club where she would have been compelled to danced naked.
She went back to Japan two more times, but like other Filipinas who have worked abroad, she was
not able to save money. She spent the money as it came as she provided for her family and there was
nobody to advise her on how to manage her earnings. She is now 47 years old and as hard-up as ever.
Her youngest is in first year high school. An older child couldn’t continue on to college because they
could not afford the tuition. Her eldest studied caregiving for six months but has yet to find work.
Evelyn does odd jobs like washing clothes for her neighbors.

Recommendations

The recommendations given by the key informants to improve the implementation of R.A.s 9262 and
9208 were categorized into two (please refer to Tables 18 and 19):
a) recommendations from the LGU, service providers, law enforcers, NGOs and FGD participants;
and
b) recommendations from the VAW survivors
Recommendations from the service providers, LGUs, advocates and from the survivors target
the victim-survivors and the community in general. They do not have recommendations for the
immediate family of the survivors nor for the perpetrators. The listing of recommendations are
categorized according to the groups they are addressing for appropriate action.
For barangays
• To set up anti-VAWC desks staffed with well-trained people, preferably licensed social workers
• To use the standard intake and update card for each victim-survivor as suggested by the
Philippine Commission on Women to facilitate consolidation of VAWC cases
• To improve the documentation, filing and turnover of VAWC files so as to improve the prevalence
statistics of VAWC
• To discontinue the practice of amicable settlements and signing of kasunduan in handling VAWC
cases
• To record cases labeled as “temporary custody/safekeeping” as VAWC cases
• To have the BHRAO included in the barangay budget
• To regularly monitor the barangay to identify new faces/entrants who might be recruiters/
traffickers looking for young women
• To have regular purok meetings and use them as a venue for information dissemination about
the laws
• To financially support volunteers in the barangay, especially those assisting the victims, for such
expenses as transportation, photocopying of documents, filing of cases, etc.
• To conduct monitoring at the barangay level and assess how they are implementing the laws
For LGUs
a. Recommendations related to training:
• Conduct empowerment programs for survivors through education and training, legal literacy,
self-defense, entrepreneurship, etc.
• Address women’s immediate post-trauma needs as well as the long-term goal of financial security
and independence through livelihood programs.
• Conduct value formations/consciousness raising among women to discuss sociocultural beliefs
that constrain women from reporting VAW and/or filing cases in court.
• Address the problem of conducting regular and continuous training for service providers. There
is also a need to improve the quality of training.
• Draw up an effective follow-up program for victim-survivors.
• Use GAD allocations to conduct anti-VAWC campaigns and trainings in the barangays.
• Conduct seminars for both women and men so they know their rights and when these are
violated.

• Conduct training with service providers and law enforcers on how to deal with victim-
survivors.
• Conduct regular updating seminars for people handling VAWC cases.
• Conduct training by batches so that everybody can join the trainings.
• Study/assess Islamic practices and identify those that do not protect the rights of women.
• Conduct intensive training on trafficking to BHRAO.
• Conduct yearly training and seminar for the police.
• Conduct more gender sensitivity training (GST) for men and monitor to see if they practice what
they learned.
• Give out brochures and pamphlets about the laws.
• Educate all women about the laws. Start with the parents of the day care centers, and provide
resource persons.
• Organize symposiums for women in partnership with the DWSD.
• Continue orientations and seminars especially for mothers.
• Create programs for strengthening the family; participation in religious groups is seen as a way
to improve values.
• Make people aware of trafficking.
b. Other recommendations for LGUs:
• For the DSWD to fulfill its task of consolidating VAW reports from the barangays, law enforcement
agencies and Family Courts
• To come up with a set of indicators to determine when VAW cases are closed/resolved
• To come up with consolidated statistics on VAW to get an accurate picture of the prevalence,
magnitude and severity of VAW
• To address the need for additional prosecutors and full-time Family Court judges so as to quickly
dispose of cases
• To assess the DSWD’s policy of returning minors to their families, which have led to the
withdrawal/retraction of cases filed in courts
• For the PNP to take action on the feedbacks regarding police treatment of VAW victim-
survivors
• To address the harassment of streetwalkers by the police. There have been feedback that some
police harass or molest the women, or even act as their pimps.
• To assess the ordinances, resolutions and executive orders whose objective is to protect women
and children
• To assess the mechanisms that were set up to document, monitor and evaluate the different VAW
programs and services
• To get more local women’s organizations to address VAW in the communities and work towards
making it a community-wide issue
• To come up with a unified government strategy to address the various forms of violence against
women and promote their effective prevention
• To assess ecotourism as an economic development strategy and its effects on women and
children
• To increase the visibility of service providers
• To clearly define the qualifications needed for handling VAW, such as having initiative, the
willingness to sacrifice, an openness to learning

• To designate a person to focus/handle VAWC cases
• To devise a victim-friendly system
• To match action to words. We have resolutions and ordinances on anti-prostitution, but we have
barangay captains and city councilors who are owners of clubs/bars.
• To have follow-up mechanisms to know the status of the cases
• To provide employment for men
For NGOs
• Organize more women’s organizations to address VAW.
• Train women to become financially independent.
• Conduct more GSTs for men.
For communities
Male Participation
• There is recognition that men’s violence against women will not end without male participation
in efforts to prevent it. It is recommended that gender-conscious men have roles congruent with
current women’s initiatives in the prevention of VAW, and to employ gender-sensitive men in
counseling male perpetrators.
• Support Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere (MOVE) in its objective to involve
men in addressing VAW in the communities.
Adolescents
• To educate young people on the dangers posed by risky sexual behavior and gender-based
violence on their reproductive health
• To increase consciousness and involvement of the youth in addressing VAWC
Women’s Involvement
• For women’s organizations in different parts of the country to network with each other
• For women’s organizations to link up with government agencies, or with the Women’s Council so
they can be updated on laws, ordinances, resolutions and policies that women can use for their
protection
VAW Advocates
• Get VAWC advocates into positions of decision-making by electing them to barangay, municipal,
city and provincial councils.
For other stakeholders
• Pool their resources to break the trafficking syndicates and design a system or strategy to
counteract traffickers.
• All stakeholders should cooperate in implementing the law.

For the academe
• The school guidance office can be used to hear out possible VAWC and trafficking complaints.
• Involve the network of educational institutions and the organizations of private schools and
colleges in the campaign against VAWC and trafficking.
• Schools can be used as a structure for information dissemination for the prevention of
violence.

Project Photos
Mayor James “Bong” Gordon with Project Manager Aida Santos-Maranan and other members
of the Project Steering Committee during the signing of the MoU.
PSC Meeting

Alpha Allanigui, Assistant Project Manager facilitating an FGD session.
Validation Workshop

Overall Findings and Recommendations
Below is a summary of the findings and recommendations culled from the data from Olongapo City
and Angeles City.
Overall Findings
VAWC

• VAWC is happening in the communities as can be seen from the statistics gathered from the four
barangays (Bgys. Gordon Heights and West Bajac-bajac in Olongapo City and Bgys. Amsic and
Malabanias in Angeles City), and from the reports of the PNP, CSWDO, NGOs and Family Courts.
• Woman battering is the most common VAWC-related complaint brought to the attention of the
barangays. Other complaints are economic abuse (abandonment and lack of financial support for
the family), verbal abuse (women are insulted, cursed), psychological abuse (women are troubled
by the womanizing of their husbands/partners), sexual abuse (women are forced to give in to the
sexual demands of their husbands/partners), and child abuse.
• Three of the 10 interviewed VAWC survivors were battered while pregnant. One was battered from
her fourth month to her ninth month of pregnancy. The baby was dead when it was delivered.
According to the Women’s Crisis Center (WCC), six out of 10 abused women are battered during
pregnancy. The 2008 survey of the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) shows that
four out of 100 pregnant women experience physical violence.
• Three of the five VAWC survivors from Olongapo said that the perpetrators were their husbands
and two said they were live-in partners. In Angeles, all five perpetrators were live-in partners.
This ties in with the NDHS survey which says that 54.7 percent of VAW perpetrators are the
husbands or male partners, making the home an unsafe place for women and children.
• According to the NDHS survey, only 9.3 percent of battered women go to the police and 6.0
percent go to a social service organization. Of the 10 VAWC survivors interviewed, nine went to
the police when they felt their lives were in danger.
• VAWC incidence in Olongapo using CSWDO data from 2005-2008 was 265 cases or an average of
66 cases per year. In Angeles, it was 83 cases from 2004-2009, an average of just 14 cases per year
(CSWDO data). But key informants and FGD participants talked about cases that had never been
reported. Asian scholars have said that “official statistics on the prevalence of woman battering
are generally lacking; those available would only reflect the tip of the iceberg” (1), and that
seems to be the case in the two cities.
• Women are repeatedly beaten, yet do not file cases in court or withdraw them later for the sake
of the children. One wife urged the court to release her husband so the children wouldn’t lose
their father.
• The non-cooperation of victims adds to the difficulty of helping the women.
• Service providers are also at risk when the perpetrators have ties to the police or military or
have access to firearms. Two service providers have been personally threatened.
• Barangay officials know the mechanics of handling VAWC cases. But some actively encourage
couples to amicably settle their cases.
• The barangays need to improve their documentation, filing and turnover of files to have more
accurate reports on VAWC.

• There is a lack coordination among the law enforcement agencies, the social services sector
and women’s groups, resulting in victim-survivors’ poor access to resources that would have
addressed, for example, the harassment of survivors by their husbands or partners.
• Most GO and NGO programs on VAWC target the victim-survivors and the community in
general. There are some programs for the immediate families of the survivors, but none for the
perpetrators.
• VAWC remains an issue confined to women’s groups and is not a community-wide issue. It has
not elicited the attention of the local universities to conduct studies on it.
Trafficking

• Statistics on trafficking cases is low due to its underground nature. The highest number of
trafficking cases recorded in Olongapo (2005-2008) per CSWDO record is 25 cases (an average of
six cases per year), while in Angeles, it is 231 cases (2005-2009), an average of 46 cases per year.
Reporting of cases was minimal to none in the barangays under study. Only Bgy. West Bajac-
bajac had two cases in its logbook, one recorded in 2005 and another one in 2007. But KIs and FGD
participants had many stories to tell about trafficking happening in their communities.
• The underreporting of trafficking is due to several factors:
— Stories from trafficked survivors and key informants revealed the involvement of syndicates
running operations. One of the trafficked survivors was a minor but she was able to work in
Malaysia. Traffickers have contacts within the Immigration departments of the airport in
Clark and the airport in Malaysia. Locally, bars which have been raided for using minors or
prostituting women are able to reopen or renew their business permits, indicating that they
have connections in city hall.
— Some barangay and city officials are bar owners themselves.
— Some police can be paid to look the other way.
— The victims often do not know the identities of their recruiters, making it difficult for them
to file a case.
— It is difficult to catch pimps and get evidence of prostitution, so streetwalkers who are picked
up by the police are charged with vagrancy and not classified as trafficking victims.
— When minors refuse to admit that they have been trafficked, the case becomes a prostitution
case and not trafficking.
• The presence of syndicates is an added constraint to helping survivors.
• Syndicated crime is very complicated and needs trained people to address this.
• Of the 11 trafficked survivors interviewed for this report, five landed as bar girls in local bars,
and six were transported abroad—four as bar girls, one as domestic helper, and one as a sewer.
• Another constraint to the resolution of trafficking cases is when the recruiter/trafficker is able
to avoid arrest, hindering the progress of cases filed. This is one of the reasons why some cases
are archived.
• In Olongapo, the number of entertainment establishments that employ women increased from
149 establishments in 2007 to 169 establishments in 2008 and to 203 establishments in 2009 (please
refer to Graph 1 on p. 307). In Angeles, there were 138 establishments in 2005, which increased to
209 in 2006, maintained its number in 2007, and decreased to 122 in 2008.
• The number of workers in these establishments increased from 1,708 workers in 2006, to 1,810
in 2009. But these are only the registered workers. There are unregistered workers such as the
streetwalkers. The logbook of Bgy. West Bajac-bajac recorded a number arrests of streetwalkers.
Most of them were young women.

• The government’s strategy of ecotourism has somehow contributed to the perpetuation of
prostitution.
• Cyber sex has emerged as a new way to exploit women and children.
• Stories about cyber sex businesses circulate in the communities, but they are hard to catch or
confirm because the women work in private homes.
• Parents themselves bring their children to work in cyber sex dens in nice subdivisions.
Enabling Factors for the Effective Implementation

of R.A.s 9262 and 9208
The key informants cited five enabling factors for the effective implementation of R.A.s 9262
and 9208. They are: a) policy mandate; b) LGU/government support in terms of human and material
resources; c) coordination and networking between and among various stakeholders; d) setting up
of systems and mechanisms; and e) GO and NGO programs to address VAW.
The findings showed that the city government of Olongapo has passed a number of executive
orders, resolutions and ordinances (please refer to Annexes 15-28 of the Olongapo Report) to complement
and support R.A. 9262 and R.A. 9208. Their effort was recognized when Olongapo City was awarded
second place in the country’s first search for Outstanding VAWC-Responsive LGU on November 25,
2009. They were chosen out of 12 finalists. This search was in connection with the celebration of the
“18-Day Global Campaign Against Violence.” Angeles for its part has also passed a GAD ordinance.
But this has not been done at the barangay level. They have not passed any ordinance or resolution
to support R.A. 9262 and 9208.
The city governments have set up systems and mechanisms to document, monitor and evaluate
the different VAWC programs and services, and there is coordination among the law enforcement
agencies, the social services sector and the NGOs when it comes to monitoring the entertainment
centers, conducting rescue operations, and in forming task forces.
With regards to trafficking, the government and the NGOs have programs and services to respond
to the immediate needs of the victim-survivors and to their rehabilitation and reintegration into
their communities.
Constraints to the Effective Implementation

of R.A.s 9262 and 9208
At the barangay level
• There are some problems with documentation, filing and turnover of files.
— There is no standard intake form for VAWC cases in the barangays. Complaints are recorded
in logbooks, along with other complaints, and each barangay has its own style of taking
down narratives.
— Some case details could not be read because of illegible handwriting.
— Some BPOs were not attached to the cases for which they were issued.
— Some cases could not be traced because a tracking system was lacking or not followed.
— Some cases that should have been logged as VAWC were labeled as “temporary custody/
safekeeping” instead.
— Outgoing barangay officials sometimes do not turn over documents to the incoming
councils.

• Section 47(f) of R.A. 9262 stipulates that a barangay should have an anti-VAWC desk officer who
shall coordinate a one-stop help desk, and that as much as possible, this help desk should be open
for 24 hours. But the four barangays have yet to set up their anti-VAWC desks. The handling of
VAWC cases is an add-on responsibility of the barangay officials, and in one barangay, there was
some confusion as to who among the officers should have this responsibility.
• Barangay officials assigned to deal with VAWC cases know the basic processes involved in
handling them. But although mediation is not one of them, and is in fact disallowed by the law,
there have been instances when barangay officials have encouraged the warring couple to settle
their differences, after which they sign an agreement called a kasunduan which is recorded in
the logbooks.
This misapplication may be due to lack of training or it could be due to their perception that
woman battering is domestic in nature and should be resolved in the confines of the home, or
because they thought their work pertains only to maintaining local peace and order (UNICEF,
2002).
• There is no standard set of indicators to know when a case has been resolved or closed. All four
barangays believe that if the couple has signed a kasunduan, the case has been resolved.
• There is no clear guideline on whether following up cases is mandatory. It is not clear whether it
is the task of the BPSO or the purok leaders.
• There is a need to improve advocacy on R.A.s 9262 and 9208 to reach more women and children
and the community in general.
• VAWC remains an issue of women’s groups instead of a community-wide issue. It has not elicited
the attention of the local universities to conduct studies on it. On the other hand, there is still
a lack of women’s organizations in the barangays that would address VAWC and work towards
making it a community-wide issue.
• The community, instead of being sympathetic and supportive to trafficked survivors, are
sometimes callous to their plight.
• Government services are still limited mainly because of resource problems (e.g. lack of staff, lack
of budget, lack of shelters) in the face of the magnitude and complexities of the problem.
At the LGU level

There are three major problems that constrain the implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208. These
are: a) problems related to the prosecution service, b) problems related to social service, and c)
problems related to law enforcement.
Prosecution service
Cases filed in Family Court take a long time (more or less three years) to reach a decision. Olongapo has
no regular Family Court judge, so hearings are scheduled three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays). There is also a lack of prosecutors. Prosecutors are available only on Mondays and
Fridays. In Angeles, the fiscal is shared by the two Family Courts.
Many survivors are poor women who cannot afford the cost of a long litigation. Indigent
litigants may avail of free legal assistance at the Public Attorney’s Office, but lawyers cannot always
be available. When one survivor found out that her abusive husband had made bail, she tried to get
hold of her PAO lawyer but he could not attend to her as he was busy with other hearings. One VAWC
hearing was postponed because the lawyers from both sides did not show up in court.

Social services
This relates to the CSWDO and DSWD’s policy with regards to survivors who are minors. The DSWD’s
priority is to return them to their families. According to key informants, the family usually convinces
the minors to withdraw the case and accept settlements, or when the minors are released by DSWD,
they do not appear in court hearings so the cases are dismissed.
Law enforcement
Bar owners found engaging in prostitution or the use of minors are able to get around the law by
bribing police officers or by simply changing the names of their bars, indicating strong connections
in city hall.
Some police officers are said to receive protection money from the establishments, thus helping
perpetuate prostitution. These are manifestations of a syndicated crime which is complicated and
needs trained people to address.
Training needed
The quality of service rendered by the service providers and law enforcers depends on the kind of
training provided by the government.
According to key informants, the training lacks regularity and continuity; the quality of the
training also needs improvement.
Specific feedbacks:
• Some people handling VAWC cases lack training. Consequently, they do not know how to deal
with victim-survivors.
• People who receive training sometimes do not echo what they learned to their co-workers. So
when they are re-assigned, their former stations or agencies are left with no trained staff.
• People in the barangay have short-term assignments. So when their terms are over, there is
a need to train a new set of barangay officials.
• Some cases are dismissed because the service provider was not knowledgeable about the
technicalities of the laws.
• Using trained people to handle complaints would standardize documentation. As of now,
each barangay has its own style of taking down reports and categorizing cases.
Lack of prevalence statistics on VAWC
There are no consolidated prevalence statistics on VAWC and trafficking in Angeles City and Olongapo
City. What is available are statistics gathered from the four barangays, the PNP, CSWDO, Family
Courts and NGOs.
Based on the numbers gathered, the incidence of VAWC and trafficking do not seem to be
alarming, but information from key informants and from FGD participants indicate that there are
many unreported VAWC and trafficking cases.
Timely, accurate, useful data is necessary for planning and decision-making and to come up
with crime rates and mortality statistics, you need the following factors: a) the existence of laws
and services; b) the willingness of the victim to report a crime; and c) the sensitivity of officials to
recognize the connection of the reports to VAWC ( Cheung, et al., 1999).

Laws and services
There are laws and services already in place to address VAWC, but to get a better picture of the
magnitude and complexities of the problem, there needs to be better coordination among the
agencies and groups. In the areas under study, the Research Team could not total all the cases they
had gathered from their sources as there were duplications among the various agencies and groups
that address VAWC. It was pointed out during the Validation Workshop in Olongapo that cases
recorded in the WCPD might also be the same cases recorded by the CSWDO.
Willingness of the victim to report a crime
Underrerporting also skews the picture as statistics often only cover those reported to the police
or served by providers. KIIs and FGDs have been useful in uncovering those that have not been
reported.
The findings showed that the major cause of victim-survivors’ hesitation or difficulty in reporting
VAWC is due to their economic dependence on their husbands/male partners. The other causes are
women’s sociocultural orientation to maintain harmony in the family, as well as other beliefs that
make women vulnerable to gender-based violence.
Religion has greatly influenced how women react to violence, often making them passive and
submissive. Filipino women endure the battering and forgive their batterers instead of exercising
their rights so as not to break up the family. In the case of a Muslim minor who was raped, she did
not file a case because in their culture, payment from the rapist is acceptable.
There is the issue of whether they know their rights at all. Many women are isolated in their
homes and they lack exposure and knowledge about the laws that can protect them from violence.
But as service providers attested in the study, there is not much they can do if the victims do not
cooperate despite their inputs and advice.
Recognizing the connection of the reports to VAWC
The ability of officials to recognize that an incidence report is a case of VAWC is crucial to getting
accurate VAWC statistics. There are cases in the barangay with all the earmarks of VAWC that were
logged as “temporary custody” or “safekeeping,” because the abuser had been taken out of the home
before he could do physical harm to the wife or partner. For some barangay officials, and for some
victims as well, non-physical forms of abuse is not VAWC.

Overall Recommendations
For the barangays

• To set up anti-VAWC desks staffed with well-trained people, preferably licensed social workers
• To use the standard intake and update card for each victim-survivor as suggested by the
Philippine Commission on Women to facilitate consolidation of VAWC cases
• To improve on the documentation, filing and turnover of VAWC files to get accurate prevalence
statistics on VAWC
• To discontinue the practice of amicable settlements and signing of kasunduan in handling VAWC
cases
• To record temporary custody/safekeeping cases as VAWC cases
• To have the BHRAO included in the barangay budget
• To regularly survey/monitor the barangays to identify new faces/entrants who may be there to
illegally recruit young women
• To have regular purok meetings and use them as a venue for information dissemination about
the new laws
• To financially support barangay volunteers assisting victims, for such needs as money for
transportation, photocopying of documents, filing of cases
• To assess how barangays are implementing the laws
For LGUs

Recommendations related to information dissemination
• Distribute pamphlets/brochures about the laws to the community.
• Provide information materials like primers, leaflets, etc.
• Use television to inform people about R.A.s 9262 and 9208
Recommendations related to training

For survivors
• Conduct empowerment programs for survivors through education and training, legal literacy,
• Address women’s immediate post-trauma needs.
• Address the long-term need for livelihood, to achieve economic independence for VAWC survivors
and aid in the “reintegration” of trafficked survivors into communities.
• Draw up an effective follow-up program for victim-survivors.
For perpetrators
• Set up a counseling program for perpetrators
For service providers
• Conduct regular and continuous training for service providers and law enforcement officers.
There’s also a need to improve the quality of training.
• Make use of GAD allocations at the local level by conducting anti-VAWC campaigns and
trainings.

• Conduct training with service providers and law enforcers on how to deal with victim-
survivors.
• Conduct training by batches so that everybody undergoes training.
• Draw up an effective follow-up program for victim-survivors to know the status of the cases and
to assess the effectivity of the programs and services provided.
• Conduct seminars on human rights in the barangays, especially for the new set of officials.
• Assign a knowledgeable person to the Women’s Desk.
For women
• To conduct value formations/consciousness raising among women to discuss sociocultural beliefs
that constrain them from reporting VAWC and/or filing cases in court
• To educate all women about the laws, starting with the parents of the day care centers; mobilize
resource persons and organize symposiums for women in partnership with DWSD
• To continue orientations and seminars especially for mothers
• To conduct empowerment programs for survivors through education and training, legal literacy,
• To mentor other women
• To provide jobs/livelihoods for women, especially teenage mothers
— This provides options for women, because parents have been known to bring their daughters
to beer houses and karaoke bars when they reach 18 because they think these are the only
places where they can find work.
— Earning an income can gives victim-survivors the means to pursue their cases.
— This allows women to be economically independent from their husbands/partners.
For men
• Conduct more gender sensitivity training for men.
• Monitor those who have received training to know how they practice what they learned.
For the community in general
• Conduct seminars for both women and men so they know their rights and recognize violations
of those rights.
• Study/assess Islamic practices and identify those which do not protect the rights of women.
• Conduct intensive training on trafficking to BHRAO.
• Conduct programs that strengthen family ties; participation in religious groups is seen as a way
to improve values.
• Make people more aware of trafficking.
• Conduct training for the youth, especially those who are out of school.
Recommendations related to systems and mechanisms

• Formulate a standard set of indicators to determine when VAWC cases are considered closed or
resolved.
• DSWD needs to come up with a consolidated report on VAWC to get an accurate picture on the
prevalence, magnitude and severity of the problem.
• Assess DSWD’s policy of returning minors to their families, to lessen withdrawal/retraction of
cases filed in courts.

• Assess ordinances, resolutions, executive orders whose objective is to protect women and
children.
• Assess the mechanisms that were set up to document, monitor and evaluate the different VAWC
programs and services.
• Assess the systems and services provided by the government to see if they are victim-friendly.
• Have follow-up mechanisms to know the status of cases.
• Set up a desk to assist trafficked survivors with labor cases.
• Continue with multi-disciplinary case sponsoring to efficiently address VAWC cases.
• Reactivate the Council on VAWC-T (VAWC and trafficking) and ensure the mayor’s support by
having his authorized representative in the council.
• Assess how the GAD budget is being utilized.
• Come up with a unified government strategy to promote effective prevention or to address the
various forms of violence against women as a whole.
• Assess ecotourism as a strategy to economic development and its effects on women and
children.
• Improve linkages between communities, LGUs and NGOs.
• Provide a budget for volunteers and for conducting seminars on R.A. 9262.
• Conduct dialogue in the community where victims can speak up.
• Continue helping sexually abused children.
• Give due attention to the issue of trafficking.
Recommendations for service providers

• Increase the visibility of service providers.
• Define clear qualifications for people handling VAWC.
• Designate a person to focus/handle VAWC cases.
• Assess how the police handle clients. There have been reports that some police harass and molest
prostituted women and even act as their pimps. The PNP should also act on feedbacks regarding
police treatment of VAW victim-survivors.
• The private actions of duty-bearers should be consistent with the laws they are enforcing. There
are resolutions and ordinances on anti-prostitution, but there are barangay captains and city
councilor who are owners of clubs and bars.
Recommendations to address trafficking (Enriquez, 2003)

• Passage of a local ordinance adopting the framework of the anti-trafficking law
• Operationalization of a Bantay-recruiter/“bugaw” mechanism (bantay means to guard against
or watch out for; bugaw means pimp)
• Formation of an inter-agency network that includes NGO and survivor representatives
• Institutionalization of services by agencies that are responsive to reports on illegal recruitment
and trafficking and are also available to the communities
• Assurance of adequate and appropriate action be taken to: a) address the demand side of
trafficking, and b) provide alternatives to survivors of trafficking
— Improve advocacy campaigns in the provinces and increase women’s awareness about the
risks of being trafficked if they want to work abroad.
— Use the media to expose more stories about trafficking.

— Conduct continuous advocacy with the parents because parents have been known to
encourage their children to go with recruiters.
— The POEA and OWWA should assist abused OFWs.
— Government agencies should explain to abused workers who want to pursue money claims
how much time and effort is involved in the whole process.
For NGOs

• Conduct empowerment programs for women and youth to increase their rights-claiming
capacities.
• Increase community awareness on trafficking and VAWC.
• Increase community participation in the advocacy against trafficking and VAWC.
• Help government set up programs for women.
• Advocate for enhanced GO-NGO-private sector cooperation, dialogue and collaboration.
For communities

Male participation
• There is recognition that men’s VAWC will not end without male participation in the effort to
prevent it. It is recommended to organize gender-conscious men to have roles congruent with
current women’s initiatives in the prevention of VAWC and to employ gender-sensitive men in
counseling male perpetrators.
• Support MOVE in its objective of involving men in addressing VAWC in the communities.
Adolescents
• Young people need to be educated as early as possible on the dangers posed to their reproductive
health by risky sexual behavior and gender-based violence.
• Increase youth consciousness and involvement in addressing VAWC.
• Come up with a program for teenage mothers.
Women’s involvement
• Women’s organizations in the different areas of the country are encouraged to network on the
issues of VAWC and trafficking.
• Women’s organizations can link up with government agencies, or with the Women’s Council so
they can be updated on the laws, ordinances, resolutions and policies that women can use for
their protection and well-being.
Parents
• Conceptualize a program for parents/families on how to deal with incest.
VAWC advocates
• Get VAW advocates into positions of decision-making, by electing them to barangay, municipal,
city and provincial councils.

Recommendations that need immediate attention

• Address the need for additional prosecutors and full-time Family Court judges, for the quicker
disposition of cases.
• For all stakeholders to pool their resources to break the syndicate and to design a system or
mechanism to counteract the strategy of traffickers.
• Organize more local women’s organizations to address VAWC and make it a community-wide
issue.
• CSWDO can coordinate with local women’s organizations to identify and rescue streetwalkers
and bar women who are trapped in prostitution and in need of their assistance, especially those
who have no relatives or friends to assist them.
• Come up with a mechanism for dialogue between GOs and NGOs.
• Provide employment for men.
For other stakeholders

• All stakeholders should cooperate in implementing the law.
• Involve more stakeholders in addressing VAWC as part of their duty of being members of civil
society.
For the academe

• The school guidance office can be a venue to hear out possible VAWC and trafficking
complaints.
• Involve the network of educational institutions and the organizations of private schools and
colleges in the campaign against VAWC and trafficking.
• Schools can be used as a structure for information dissemination and aid in the prevention of
violence.
For people in politics

• People in power should give members of opposing political parties the opportunity to contribute
to the promotion of women’s rights and continue the programs they have initiated in response
to women’s concerns.
• Hasten the legal process, especially for abused workers who cannot afford the cost of a long
litigation.

References
Blooms of Knowledge: Learning from Initiatives Addressing Violence against Women. 2003. The Ford Foundation.
Manila, Philippines.
Cheung, Fanny, et al. (eds). 1999. Breaking the Silence: Violence against Women in Asia. Equal Opportunities
Commission in collaboration with Women in Asian Development and UNESCO National Commission
of the Philippines.
Dutton, Donald. 1988. The Domestic Assault of Women: Psychological and Criminal Justice Perspectives. Vancouver.
UBC Press.
Enriquez, Jean. 2003. Trafficking of Women and Children. Review of Women’s Studies, vol. 13, no. 2.
Guerrero, Sylvia H. 2003. Creating Gender-Sensitive Families and Communities: Lessons and Reflections. Review
of Women’s Studies, vol. 13, no. 1.
_______________. 1999. Gender-Sensitive and Feminist Methodologies: A Handbook for Health and Social
Researchers. UP Center for Women’s Studies. Quezon City.
________________ and Luis M. Pedroso. 2002. Handbook for Monitoring Intervention Programs to Stop Gender
Violence. UP Center for Women’s Studies Foundation, Inc. and the Department of Health: Women’s
Health and Safe Motherhood Program. Vibal Publishing House.
Hughes, Donna M. and Claire Roche. 1999. Making the Harm Visible: Global Sexual Exploitation of Women and
Girls. Speaking Out and Providing Services. Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. Kingston, Rhode
Island.
Mananzan, Mary John et al. (eds). 1996. Women Resisting Violence: Spirituality of Life. Orbiz Books. Maryknoll,
New York.
Portus, Ma. Lourdes. 2003. Women in Street Prostitution: Communication and Negotiation Techniques. Review of
Women’s Studies, vol. 13, no. 1.
UNICEF, 2002. To Produce and to Care: How Do Women and Men Fare in Securing Well-being and Human Freedoms.
Prepared by WAGI for the UN Country Team.
Additional References:
A Paper prepared by Ms. Eileen Skinnider, Associate, International Center for Reform of Criminal Law and
Criminal Justice Policy, Vancouver, Professor Marcia Kran and Mr. Robert Adamson, Associates and
Professor Ian Townsend-Gault, Director, Center for Asian Legal Studies, Faculties of Law, University
of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. This paper is an annex to the Proceedings of the 1997 Regional
Conference on Trafficking in Women and Children by the Mekong Region Law Center and Office of the
National Commission on Women’s Affairs of Thailand.
WEDPRO’s approved proposal to the European Union. 2009. Private and Public Faces of Violence against
Women: Addressing Domestic Violence and Trafficking in the Urban Poor Communities and “Red Light Districts”
of Angeles City and Olongapo City.
Virola, Romulo. 2010. Violence against Women…At Home! National Statistical Coordination Board.
http://www.nscb.gov.ph/headlines/StatsSpeak/2010/030810_rav_vaw.asp
Human Trafficking Statistics
http://www.dreamcenter.org/new/images/outreach/Rescueproject/stats.pdf
United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights, Frequently Asked Questions on a Human Rights-Based
Approach to Development.
http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/FAQen.pdf

Tables
Table 1. Key Informants (KIs)
VAWC and Total no. of
Barangay level City level
trafficking survivors key informants
a) Bgy. Gordon Vice-mayor, GAD focal person and CSWDO head, 5 VAWC survivors, 5
Heights = 6 councilor for Women and Children, Family Court trafficking survivors
judge, clerk of court, PNP city director, PNP
Women’s Desk officer, CIDG head, BHRAO federation
head, 3 NGO executive directors = 12
b) Bgy. West
Bajac-bajac = 6
Total number of KIs = = 12 service providers/law enforcers/NGOs = 10 VAWC and traf- = 34 key infor-
12 barangay officials ficking survivors mants

Table 2. VAWC and Trafficking Statistics
Data Number of VAWC complaints Number of trafficking
Number of BPOs issued
source blottered complaints blottered
Number of Number of Number of
Year Year Year
complaints complaints complaints
Bgy. Gordon 2004 4 None None

Heights 2005 4
Logbook 2006 4
2007 4
2008 4
2009 34
Bgy. Gordon Jan 2005 - 17 cases None Jan 2005- Dec 17 BPOs issued
Heights Dec 2006 2006
Compliance
Monitoring Jan-Dec 2007 16 cases Jan-Dec 2007 16 BPOs issued
Form
Jan-Dec 2008 16 cases Jan-Dec 2008 16 BPOs issued
Jan-Nov 16 cases Jan-Nov 2009 16 BPOs issued

2009
Oct-Nov 2009 3 BPOs issued
Oct-Nov 2009 3 cases
Bgy. West Sept 2006 - 16 cases Nov. 1 case Sept 2006-Sept 1 BPO issued
Bajac-bajac Sept 2009 2007 2009
logbook
Barangay 4th quarter 1 case None 4th quarter 2006 1 BPO issued
VAWC Imple- 2006
mentation
Report 1st quarter 2 cases None 1st quarter 2007 2 BPOs issued
2007
2nd quarter 4 cases None 2nd quarter 2007 1 BPO issued

2007
1st quarter 2 cases None 1st quarter 2009 2 BPOs issued

2009
3rd quarter 2 cases None 3rd quarter 2009 Referred to

2009 DSWD and PNP

Data Number of VAWC complaints Number of trafficking
Number of BPOs issued
source blottered complaints blottered
Number of Number of Number of
Year Year Year
complaints complaints complaints
Olongapo 2002 1 case 2005 1 case

City Police 2004 3 cases
Office (De- 2005 4 cases
tailed Report 2006 15 cases
on Crimes 2007 22 cases
Against 2008 12 cases
Women 2009 22 cases
2004-2009)
(please refer Total = 79 cases
to Annex 8)
PREDA Violation of 8 cases Violations of RA 9208

Foundation, RA 9262 2006 – 3 cases
Olongapo 2008 – 6 cases
City 2009 – 4 cases
(please refer Total = 13 cases
to Annex 9)
CIDG Violation of 3 cases None

Monitoring RA 9262 from (trial ongoing)
of Cases 2008 -2009
handled by
Zambales
CIDT
CSWDO VAWC Cases Trafficking cases = 25 cases

Statistics and 2005 49 cases
Report 2005- 2006 55 cases
2008 2007 41 cases
2008 120 cases
Total = 265 cases

Table 3. Statistics and Status of VAWC Cases Filed in Family Court –
Olongapo City, 2004-2009 (please refer to Annexes 10-12)
Data Source Decided Pending Dismissed Withdrawn Archived
VAWC cases as of
1 80 10 11
Jan-June 2009
VAWC cases
0 72 21 3 26
as of July-Dec 2009
Branch 73 (separate
report on decided, dis- 34 44
missed, archived cases)
Total 1 72 65 3 81
Table 4. Status of Trafficking Cases in Olongapo City

as of Dec. 2009 (please refer to Annex 12)
Data Source Pending
Branch 73 3 cases
Table 5. Status of Cases with Petition for TPO/PPO as of Dec. 2009

Data Source Dismissed Decided Pending
Branch 73 3 4 1
Note: Dismissed cases – when complainants have disappeared, can no longer be located or no longer appear in court hearings
(included in this category are the provisionally dismissed which the complainant can reopen within a two-year period); withdrawn
– when complainants file an affidavit of desistance; archived – when the perpetrator has disappeared or can no longer be located
Table 6. Profile of Women from Bgys. West Bajac-bajac and Gordon Heights
Bgy. West Data from service
Bgy. Gordon Heights
Bajac-bajac providers
Livelihood • Fish • Laundry woman • Stay-at-home moth-

and fruit • Domestic helpers ers
vendors • Vendors • Works in support
• Bar • Videoke bar women services, e.g., cook
women • SBMA employees
• Computer workers
Education High school Mostly high school Few graduated from

level Some with vocational training college
Some with college education
Number of children 4-6 children 3-4 children 4-8 children

Table 7. Common VAWC-related Complaints
Bgy. West Bajac- Bgy. Gordon From service
Nature of violence
bajac Heights providers
Physical violence Battering Battering Domestic violence
Lack support for Lack of family support,
Economic abuse Financial problems
the children abandonment
Women are insulted,
Verbal abuse Insults, curses
humiliated in the streets
Misunderstanding with
Psychological abuse Womanizing
their husbands
Child abuse (children
Beating the
Others padlocked in the house
children
and abandoned)
Table 8. Striking/Memorable VAWC-related Complaints

Domestic violence; the woman had a black eye and secured a medico-legal certificate
Repeated case of battering; no case was filed but the wife left the husband
Wife battering; the woman left the husband and the children. The husband simply locked the
children in the house and abandoned them.
The woman was beaten by her Filipino partner after she went to see the father of her Amerasian
child to get financial support.
The wife was repeatedly beaten by the husband yet she urged the court to release him for the
children’s sake.
A Muslim minor was raped but did not file a case because in their culture, payment from the
rapist is acceptable.
Table 9. Cases Considered Difficult to Handle

Child abuse
When the victim does not cooperate
When women go back to the relationship despite the physical abuse and inputs from service
providers
Getting evidence for prostitution cases
Cyber sex – how to locate the server; the court is not yet aware of the technicalities involving
such cases

Table 10. Barangays’ Ways of Handling VAWC Cases
Bgy. WBB Bgy. Gordon Heights
People involved in handling VAWC cases – People involved in handling VAWC cases –
BHRAO, barangay secretary, barangay captain, kagawads, investigators
investigators, and tanods if complainant
comes after 5 p.m.
Responses as to how they handle cases: Responses as to how they handle cases:
• Investigate – 1 • Investigate – 3
• Blotter the complaint – 4 • Issue BPO – 6
• If official feels she can handle case on her • Counsel the couple – 1
own, she settles the case; if not, she refers • Ask the couple to go to the barangay and
it to BHRAO – 1 have a dialogue – 2
• Invite the perpetrator to barangay office – 2 • Imprison the perpetrator right away if the
• File a case if the perpetrator does not come woman is badly battered – 1
to the barangay – 1 • Assist the victim to secure a medico-legal
• Get couple to dialogue in front of the baran- certificate – 2
gay captain – 1 • If the couple wants to separate, the baran-
• Advise the woman to file a case – 1 gay tries to settle the case – 1
• Explain the law to the couple – 2 • If settlement is not possible, they refer the
• If the woman does not want to file a case couple to DSWD especially if there are
and agrees to an amicable settlement, then children – 1
they sign a kasunduan • Blotter the case – 1
• Make a referral letter to the agencies that • If the woman is badly beaten, the husband
can assist the victim – 2 is asked to go to the barangay or brought
to the police station – 2
• The barangay settles the case – 2
• If the battering is too much, the case is
referred to DSWD – 1

Table 11. Enabling Factors in the Effective Implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208
Policy mandate LGU/government support
1. Ordinance No. 51 – An ordinance a. Human resources
addressing the system of prostitu- • The establishment of the following local institutional mechanisms for the
tion, imposing penalties on its overall coordination, monitoring and advocacy at the local level of the
perpetrators, providing protective strict implementation of laws for the protection of women and children.
measures and support services for -- Local Inter-Agency Council for Trafficking and VAWC (IACT-VAWC)
the prostituted persons, and for other -- Gender and Development Council (GAD Council)
purposes (April 4, 2007) -- Women’s Council
2. Executive Order No. 55 – Creating -- MOVE (Men Opposed to Violence Everywhere), a group of male advo-
and establishing a joint local inter- cates to fight VAW
agency council for anti-trafficking -- Task Force Anti-Indecency Board (Prostitution)
and VAW (IACT-VAWC) (June 24, • The collaboration of PNP, DSWD and City Hall in implementating the laws
2006) • The provision of capability-building programs for service providers, i.e.,
3. Ordinance No. 26 – An ordinance social workers, nurses, midwives, physicians and barangay health workers
creating a joint local inter-agency • The installation of Women’s Desks in all police stations to facilitate report-
council for anti-trafficking in persons ing, because victims are less reticent to talk to women law enforcers
and anti-violence against women and • Monitoring by purok leaders
their children (IACT-VAWC) (Jan. 18, • Roving by police officers
2007) • Handouts on the laws
4. Ordinance No. 69 – An ordinance • Barangay officials handing out calling cards so residents have access to
providing for a City Gender and De- them
velopment (GAD) Code and for other • BHRAO assistance to VAW victims
purposes (Jan. 18, 2007) • Seminars for BHRAO officers
5. Ordinance No. 79 – An ordinance to • Continuation of open line of communication between LGUs and the people,
define and penalize online pornogra- so people can report directly to them
phy in Olongapo City – Nov. 8, 2005 • Orientations on the law to raise women’s awareness, which some baran-
6. Resolution No. 107 – A resolution gays give during assembly
requesting the SBMA to donate fur- • Orientations on the Magna Carta for Women, which have been given in the
niture and fixtures for the Center for barangays
Women in line with the trash-to-cash • The CIDG has 8 people involved in rescue operations, their office is open
program of SBMA (March 7, 2005) 24/7 and equipped with a hot line, cell phone, telephone and fax.
7. Resolution No. 76 – A resolution • All the barangays, LGUs, DILG, schools (private and public) have had
adopting RA 9262, providing for seminars and trainings.
protection measures for victims, • DSWD provides counseling to survivors.
prescribing for penalties therefore, • CSWDO monitors and visits establishments, reminds thems of their
and for other purposes. limitations as stipulated in their business permits, recommends closure of
8. Resolution No. 96 – A resolution establishments if there are violations, files/acts as the complainant if the
creating the Women’s Council in victims are minors, do home visits on survivors.
Olongapo City which will cater to the • Bgy. WBB has had training seminars conducted by the PNP, DSWD, DILG
needs, welfare and grievances of all and city government on women, anti-trafficking, Magna Carta for Women,
women in the community (March 10, anti-torture, anti-VAWC.
2000) • Bgy. Gordon Heights has had training seminars conducted by DSWD,
9. Resolution No. 22 – A resolution DILG and MOVE on women, anti-VAWC and other laws.
declaring March 2000 thereafter as • City-level officials have had training on women’s issues, on investigation,
the International Women’s Month for purpose-driven attitude in the workplace, basic intelligence and investiga-
Olongapo City tion, special laws such as RAs 9262, 9208 and 7610.

Coordination and networking between b. Material resources

and among various stakeholders • Center for Women, for the physically abused and as temporary shelter for
• The church, teachers and princi- trafficking victims
pals of the schools and DSWD are • Social Development Center, a temporary shelter or home care for minor
partners of the barangay in the effort girl victims of child abuse for protective custody while their cases are be-
to address VAW. ing processed
• NGOs help gather information and • School-based Teen Wellness Center in collaboration with the Sangguniang
provide barangays with that informa- Kabataan (Youth Council) and Department of Education
tion. • List of all videoke bars and other kinds of bars in the barangay to facilitate
• There is coordination between BUK- monitoring
LOD, PREDA and DSWD. • Private rooms for women and children to facilitate disclosing of informa-
• CIDG has coordination with other tion
groups.
• CSWDO collaborates with Women’s c. Systems/mechanisms
Desks, LGUs, barangays and • Integrated monitoring and evaluation system to assess the performance of
women’s organizations. the different VAW programs and services
• Systematic monitoring and client-responsive feedback mechanisms, such
as:
-- Database of all VAW cases using clear guidelines, procedures and tools
-- Database of profile and needs of VAW victim-survivors
-- Database on cases including data on victim-survivor, perpetrator, inter-
vention and case status
-- Data is submitted to concerned agencies (DSWD, DILG).
-- Monitoring system composed of home visits, case conferences and
consultation dialogues with partner/referral agencies
-- Other documentation systems and procedures are in place to manage the
database on anti-VAW programs/projects, accomplishment and impact
reports, financial status.
-- Consultation with stakeholders
-- Periodic assessment of anti-VAW services
-- Mechanism to facilitate flow of information and gather feedback from
stakeholders
-- A consolidated monitoring form for trafficking in persons and VAW
cases is in use.
-- Periodic meetings/orientations are held with the staff involved in anti-
VAW service.
-- Reporting is done through meetings, annual reports, tri-media and
round table discussions.
-- VAW cases reported/handled, accomplishments, etc., are reported
regularly to the LGU Committee on Women, Sangguniang Panlalawigan
(Provincial Board), the DILG and other concerned agencies, and the
community.

Other enabling factors

• A standard form for TPO/PPO appli-
cation has been provided to facilitate
the process.
• CIDG has a Sunday school for 3-to-
15-year-old out-of-school youths
• Separate blotter book for VAWC
cases in the barangays
• Passage of a resolution formally
activating all human rights action
centers
• NGOs have their own in-service
training, field training; their human
rights teams are well trained in the
laws.
Table 11a. Government Programs to Address VAW

Targets of Quick response /
Long-term and continuing program
the program immediate action programs
For the victim- • CIDG has Oplan Nena where they file cases for • DSWD handles operation and management of the
survivors VAWC victims and prostituted women. victim’s case
• CIDG has Oplan Sagip Anghel to rescue minors • Hearing of cases in the Family Court
working in bars.
• Orient victim about the process of the law
• Give moral support to victims
• Police assistance for victim, to escort them to
appropriate agencies, assist in filing their cases,
and arrest perpetrators
• Committee on women assists walk-in clients in
getting services from the barangay, or coordi-
nate with DSWD or the legal office; for emer-
gency cases, advises the victim to stay in their
office while they coordinate with the Center for
Women.
For the imme-

diate family of
the survivor
For the
perpetrators

Targets of Quick response /
Long-term and continuing program
the program immediate action programs
For other a. For women in the community

stakeholders • CIDG conducts some trainings.
• Community women have been organized
through BALIKATAN.
• Livelihood trainings were conducted espe-
cially for women and mothers.
• Awareness seminar was conducted for women
and youth.
• Free pap smear, breast checkup, medical and
dental services have been conducted.
• PNP conducts supervised visits every night
at clubs.
• Women’s Desk do monitoring of cases filed in
court.
• CIDG does monitoring and intelligence work
on trafficking.
b. For the youth in the community
• The youth group monitors activities of their
members.
• LGU has scholarships for those who would
like to study computers, provides free uni-
forms.
c. For couples
• Couples are encouraged to work for the ben-
efit of their children.
d. For the community in general
• A Task Force composed of CSWDO, CIDG,
BUKLOD, PREDA, Business Permit Section,
and pastors has been organized to:
-- monitor establishments
-- do investigations
-- use the TF meetings as a venue for meeting
entrepreneurs
-- conduct seminars on health, livelihood and
rights
-- conduct parenting seminars
-- do education and information dissemination
-- give Family Values formation program,
education for children, scholarships
-- pass resolutions and executive orders to
support anti-VAWC law
-- inform the community that there is a Com-
mittee on Women

Table 11b. NGO and Academe Programs to Address VAW
Targets of the Quick response/immediate

Long-term/continuing program
program action program
For the victim- • Provides temporary shelter/safe • Provides residential home

survivors house
• Provides legal service
For the immediate

family of the survivors
For perpetrators
For other stakeholders • Provides Family Values formation program, education/

scholarships for the children, income-generating projects
for the mothers
• Conducts gender sensitivity training to police officers,
men from the community and barangay officials; conducts
series of seminars, public information activities on VAWC
• Gives lectures to bar women on BCC-CO (Basic Christian
Organizing-Community Organizing)
• Does organizing, empowerment of women through semi-
nars, trainings (entry point is about the laws, such as how
to file a case, what agencies to go to for assistance, and
how to deal with these agencies)
• Aura College has been celebrating Women’s Month for
five years. Last year’s theme was “Women Coping Up with
Financial Crisis,” touching on economic abuse – women
not given a chance to grow in their careers and its effect on
their children.
• Livelihood program for marginalized women
• BHRAO receives complaints, and does education and
monitoring
• Gordon College to conduct seminar on sexual harassment
for staff, faculty, students and guidance office, organized
student groups; is open for seminars and as venue for
research; instructors open to learning the laws; RAs 9262
and 9208 can be included in the curriculum and exams;
can be used as avenue for tangible results and advocacy.
• Yokubari Foundation for children and the family has
specific program for mothers in 4 barangays – starts with
GST, women’s rights. Their people’s organization is Kaisa
Ka, which has a step-by-step procedure on how to handle
VAWC cases, specifically on how to file a case.


Table 12. Constraints to the Effective Implementation of R.A.s 9262 and 9208
Structural constraints Political constraints Sociocultural constraints
a. Problems related to the complexity • Barangay officials have short a. Problem with beliefs, values and at-
of syndicated crimes like prostitu- terms in office, so the orientations titudes of victim-survivors
tion, trafficking and cyber sex need to be repeated for incoming • It is supposedly in Filipino women’s
• Victims do not know the identity councils. nature to endure suffering and be
of the recruiter, so it is difficult to • There is some difficulty in propos- forgiving because of their Catholic
file a case. ing/initiating programs within a upbringing.
• Pimps are difficult to catch and government institution because • Violence and men’s infidelity are
get evidence from, leading to politicians feel their position is seen by both women and the com-
a trafficking violation being threatened. munity as normal in a relationship.
downgraded to vagrancy. • There is a lack of training and • Women feel they must avoid a
• Victim and customer have to be seminars to build the capacity of broken family at all costs. As a
caught in the act for a prostitu- those assigned to handle cases. consequence:
tion case to be filed. -- women are repeatedly battered
• When minors refuse to admit but can be convinced by hus-
that they were trafficked, it bands or partners to withdraw
becomes a prostitution case and their cases
not trafficking. -- women file cases and later file
• There is resistance from traf- affidavits of desistance without
ficked minors because they do informing the service provid-
not know their rights are being ers and go back to their violent
violated. relationships
• When women perceive prostitu- • They do not report VAW and incest
tion as work, they learn to accept cases for fear of smearing the family
the risks involved as a normal name.
part of the job. • Women are afraid of their hus-
• There is no clear process on bands/partners.
how to deal with trafficking. • Women also withdraw cases be-
• Traffickers are members of a cause they are financially dependent
syndicate, they know how to on their husbands/partners.
disguise themselves, they have • Women would rather seek help from
connections with people in religious leaders rather from proper
government. authorities.
• Trafficked victims do not feel • Women lack knowledge about their
they have protection against rights.
syndicates, and so they do not • Victim-survivors’ low educational
file cases. attainment makes them vulnerable
• Trafficked victims uses aliases. to violence and makes information
• The trafficking issue needs more campaigns doubly harder.
exposure. -- A service provider said majority
• Advocacy/campaign against of those who are given primers or
trafficking does not receive the pamphlets will not read them, and
same attention as the anti-VAWC of those who do, majority will not
campaign. understand them.

Structural constraints Political constraints Sociocultural constraints
b. Problems with corruption b. Attitude of service providers

• Minors have been found working • They feel they cannot do no more
in bars, yet the owners manage when the complainant loses interest
to renew their business permits in her case.
or simply change the names • Some PNP officers are not gender-
of their bars and secure new sensitive or approachable.
permits. • Barangay officials ask the couple to
• Many government officials profit talk and have an amicable settle-
from the prostitution business. ment.
• Club owners have connections
in city hall. c. Parents’ perception of their children
• Some police officers receive • They believe they own their chil-
protection money from the dren.
establishments.
d. Bar owners’ perception of women
c. Problems related to the judiciary or • They see them as just attractions to
Family Court their business.
• There is no regular Family Court
judge so hearings are only three e. Community’s lack of knowledge about
times a week. the laws
• There is a lack of prosecutors, • Victim and perpetrator sometimes
who are only available Monday do not respect the presence of the
and Friday. kagawad and continue their quarrel
• Cases take a long time to reach in front of him/her.
a decision. • The perpetrator does not respond to
• Women either amicably settle in the barangay summons and some-
the court, or desist from pursu- times fights the tanod that serves
ing their cases. the summons.
• When the perpetrator cannot • People are not open to being taught
be located, the case is archived about the law by youthful kagawads,
until it is terminated. even if the latter have undergone
• There is difficulty in understand- training.
ing the process of filing a case.
• Both complainant and accused f. Attitude towards women
are in the same room during the • Women are not given the chance to
hearing, which can be intimidat- grow in their careers once they get
ing for the complainant espe- married.
cially if she is a minor. • Men have negative perception
towards women.
d. Difficulty in tracing bar ownership
makes it difficult to file cases.

Table 13. Trafficking Cases from Key Informants and FGD Participants
Case No. Trafficking cases
Five girls from Bulacan were brought to Masinloc, Zambales to work as house helpers but were placed
in a videoke bar instead. They escaped and were seen at the Victory bus station after curfew, so they
1 were brought to the barangay hall. The following day, the barangay captain contacted the DSWD of Bu-
lacan. They verified the information given by the girls. They were brought back to Bulacan by ambulance
to ensure their return to their parents.
KIs rescued five women from San Marcelino, Manila and brought them back to their homes in Sapang
2
Palay, Bulacan.
KIs admit they have trafficking cases in their barangays, but of a lesser degree compared to VAWC and
3
violations of RA 7610.
KI knows of one case of qualified trafficking which happened in March 2009. Four children were re-
cruited in Floridablanca, Pampanga to work abroad, but two of them were minors, so they were left in the
4
house of a bar owner. The owner reported the case to authorities, but the KI has no further knowledge of
what happened to them.
KIs know of bars in Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, Iba, Castellejos and Subic that employ minors as GROs and
5 most of these girls come from Visayas and Mindanao. Their ages range from 12-14. A manager was
arrested but he was released after paying 200,000 pesos. A KI also knows of a cyber sex case in 2008.
KIs handled 50 cases of female minors and 50 cases of male minors who came from Laguna, Batangas,
6 Samar, Leyte and Butuan. There was even one who came from Malaysia. They were hired to become
waiters/waitresses but they landed in bars.
FGD participants They know of tanods rescuing minors who were victims of trafficking.
FGD participants They know of trafficking cases filed in court.
Table 14. Profile of Survivors

Age Educational attainment Place of origin Current address
20-30 years old – 4 Elementary – 2 Visayas – 3 Olongapo City
High school level – 2
31-40 years old – 2 Mindanao – 2
High school graduate – 3
41-50 years old – 2 College level – 2 Luzon – 5
51-60 years old – 0 College graduate
61-70 years old – 2
Number of children Previous work Current work
No children – 1 Laundry woman – 1 Hospital utility person – 1
1-3 children – 6 Vendor – 1 Unemployed – 2
4-6 children – 2 Cleaner – 2 Local bar girls – 2
7-9 children – 1 Accounting clerk – 1 House caretaker – 1
Domestic helper – 3 Barangay rescuer – 1
Streetwalker – 1
Local bar girls (waitress, food server) – 6
Cleaner – 1
OFW ( bar girl, dancer, entertainer) – 3 Vendor – 1
Laundry woman – 2

Table 15. Profile of VAW Perpetrators
Age Work Relationship to VAW survivor
25-35 years old – 1 Painter (houses/bldgs.) – 1 a. VAWC perpetrators

36-45 years old – 2 OFW – 1 Husband – 3
46-55 years old – 0 Lifeguard – 1 Live-in partner – 2
56-65 years old – 0 Unemployed – 1
66-75 years old – 1 No data –1 b. Traffickers
No data – 7 Previous employer – 1
No relation – 4
No data – 1
Table 16. Nature of Violence/Duration and Frequency of Violence/Causes of Abuse

Nature of violence Duration/frequency of violence
a. Physical abuse
• Since children were small until the
• Beaten
present time – 1
• Choked
• Very often – 1
• Punched
• During pregnancy – 2
• Hit with objects
• Stalking after separation – 2
• Arms twisted
• Threatened with a knife
Duration of trafficking
1 week – 1
b. Economic abuse
1 month – 1
• Does not give money for family sustenance
6 months – 2
2 years – 1
c. Psychological abuse
• threats to kill her
• stalking
• womanizing
-- Survivor says husband’s infidelity gave her nightmares and
made her hot-tempered with the children.
d. Sexual abuse
• Man forces survivor to have sex with him
e. Verbal abuse
• Insults woman, calls her “good for nothing/dependent on him”
• Curses the wife

Table 17. Reaction of Survivors and Status of Cases
a) Reaction of VAW Survivors a) Status of VAWC cases

1 looked for solutions to violence 2 did not file case
1 left the husband for two years 1 filed a case, withdrew, but would like to reopen it
5 reported violence to the police 1 filed case but no hearing yet
1 left house every time husband became violent 1 filed case, ex-husband out on bail, second hearing
1 fought back postponed
1 asked help from DSWD
2 filed cases b) Status of trafficking cases
None filed a case.
b) Reaction of trafficking survivors
1 wanted to go home
2 escaped from sex dens
1 finished contract and looked for another manager
1 got out of the bar and became a streetwalker

Table 18. Recommendations from LGU, Service Providers, Law Enforcers, NGOs and FGD Participants
Recommendations for Recommendations for long-term and continuing

Targets
immediate responses to VAW responses to VAW
• To have funds and support system for survivors

For victim-survivors
• To provide counseling
For immediate family of
victim- survivors
a) For the judiciary/ Family Court a) For the women

• More prosecutors, ad- • Educate all women about the laws.
ditional Family Courts -- Start with the parents of the day care centers
and full-time Family Court -- Provide resource persons
judge, so VAWC cases can -- Organize symposiums for women in partnership
be more effectively pros- with DWSD
ecuted, and cases are more • Continue orientations and seminars especially for
quickly disposed of before mothers.
victim-survivors can have • Provide more livelihood programs for women so
change of heart that victim-survivors will not be afraid to leave their
• Strengthen Family Court abusive husbands/partners.
• Add more social workers in • Get more women’s organizations to address VAW.
the courts. • Women should learn to fight back.
• Women’s organizations in the different areas of the
country should network.
b) For the community in general

• Educate the community on the laws.
• Lessen amicable settlements.
• All stakeholders should cooperate in implementing
the laws.
• Have follow-up mechanisms to know the status of the
cases.
• Provide programs that strengthen the family; partici-
pation in religious groups is seen to improve values.
• Provide employment for men.
• Make people more aware of trafficking.
• Provide counselors for couples.
• Mothers of minor victims who agree to settle cases
should be penalized.
c) Recommendations related to training

• Training seminars for both women and men so they
know their rights and how those are violated.
• Train women to become financially independent.

Table 19. Recommendations from the VAW Survivors
Recommendations for Recommendations for long-term
Targets
immediate responses and continuing responses
• For the judiciary to hasten the
For victim-survivors resolution of the cases so the
survivors can live in peace
For the immediate

family of survivors
For perpetrators
For other stakeholders a) For women

• They should have their own sources of income so they
will not be trapped in abusive relationships.
• Young women should be critical of offers of high salary.
b) For service providers
• Conduct seminars to women so they will know their
rights.
c) For the judiciary
• To ensure that the perpetrators are imprisoned so they
will learn their lesson and other perpetrators will know
that they cannot get away with their crime
• To increase the bail for VAWC, so that abusers won’t
easily be released and they won’t be able to harass the
survivors
• Train people handling VAWC cases how to deal with
victim-survivors.
• Conduct regular updating seminars for people handling
VAWC cases.
-- Yearly training and seminar for the police.
-- Train by batches so that everybody can participate.
• Provide a program for the male youth.
• BHRAO needs intensive training on trafficking.
• Involve men in GAD advocacy.
• More GSTs for men.
• Monitor men who have been given training to know how
they practice what they learned.
• Network with Commission on Human Rights.
• Study/assess Islamic practices and identify those which
do not protect the rights of women.

Annexes
Annex 1
List of Key Informants
Names of Key Informants Designation
Bgy. West Bajac-Bajac
Rafael Santulan Barangay Captain
Elizabeth Tamano Barangay Secretary
Ric Corpuz Tanod
Wilfredo Nabur Executive Officer
Conrad Hipolito Barangay Human Rights Action Officer
Alberto Santos Kagawad
Bgy. Gordon Heights
Gingco, Edgardo R. Barangay Captain
Romulo Buencamino Barangay Secretary
Isagani dela Cruz Kagawad
Hernando Locomora Tanod
Theodorico Danugrao Kagawad
Sanita Gamoz Lupon Member
City Level Officials/NGOs
Vice Mayor Cynthia G. Cajudo Vice Mayor
Genia R. Eclarino GAD Focal Person and CSWDO Head
Councilor for the Committee on Women and
Councilor Elena Dabu
Children
Judge Consuelo Amo-Bocar Family Court Judge
Atty. Ana Marie Sison Clerk of Court
Senior Superintendent Oscar D. Albayalde PNP City Director
Hannah Yalung PNP Women’s Desk Officer
Chief Inspector Rogelio Pinones CIDG Head
Francis Mercado BHRAO Federation Head
Dolly Ylanan Yokubari Executive Director
Jimmy Mendoza MOVE
Alex Hermoso PREDA Executive Director
VAW Survivors
VAWC Survivor 1
VAWC Survivor 2
VAWC Survivor 3
VAWC Survivor 4
VAWC Survivor 5-
Trafficking Survivor 1

Annex 2
List of FGD Participants
Name of Participants Designation
Batch 1
Chief Inspector Rogelio Pinones CIDG Head
SPO1 Hannah Yalung WCPD/ FJGSS-OCPO
Djoyce Dedicatoroia FJGSS-OCPO
Aivy Cabanglan Women and Child Protection Desk
P03 Morales PNP
Gene Eclarin CSWDO Head and GAD Focal Person
Elizabeth Tamano Barangay Secretary, West Bajac-bajac
Atty. Anna Maria F. Sison Clerk of Court, RTC Br. 73
Nova Codoy CSWDO
Elena Dabu Councilor for the Committee on Women and Children
Batch 2
Jane Tamano Bgy. West Bajac-bajac (WBB), Admin. Staff
Celia Lorenzo WBB Purok Leader
Paciana Lamson BUKLOD Treasurer
D. Maglaywan Lupon Member, Bgy. Gordon Heights
R. Panuga Admin. Clerk II, Bgy. Gordon Heights
Mercy Rubio Barangay Rescuer
Bella BUKLOD Member
Batch 3
Dolly Yanan Yokubari Executive Director
T.E Davis Aura College
Francis Mercado BHRAO Federation Head
Aileen Sanchez LCDO
Jimmy Mendoza MOVE
April Ramagas Gordon College

Annex 3
Samples of VAWC Complaints Registered in the Logbook of Bgy. Gordon Heights
(copied from the logbook; names of victim-survivors and perpetrators as well as their addresses are blocked out to maintain confidentiality)
9/30/05
11:38 PM
865 Personal na nagsadya sa tanggapan ng Brgy. Public Safety Officer GHOC si XXXXXX F -20 Y/O, residente ng
Pepsi, Filtration, Sta. Rita, O.C. upang maghain ng kaukulang reklamo kay XXXXXXX, M – 44 Y/O, residente ng
XXX Simpson St., Gordon Heights, OC sa usaping pananakit (wife battering/abuse).
Ayon sa may sumbong, 2 taon silang naging mag live-in partner ni XXXX. Dumulong na sa tanggapan ng Gordon
Hts. BPSO noong unang sinaktan ang may sumbong at nagkaroon sila ng kasunduan na kapag sinaktan ulit si
XXXXX ay magsasampa ito ng reklamo. At nito ngang ika – 30 ng Setyembre, 2005 oras humigit kumulang alas
7:00 ng gabi ay muling sinaktan ni XXXX si XXXX.
Pansamantalang ide-detaine sa tanggapan ng Brgy. Hall si XXXXX for safekeeping. Pinayuhan ng BPSO si XXXXX
na magpa medico-legal.
9/25/05
9:41 PM
839 Personal na nagsadya sa tanggapan ng Brgy. Public Safety Officer GHOC si XXXXX, edad 39 Y/O, residente ng XXX
Santol St., Gordon Heights, O.C. upang maghain ng kaukulang reklamo laban sa kanyang asawa na si XXXXX, 43
Y/O, residente ng naturang lugar tungkol sa ginawa umano nitong pambubugbog at pambibintang na may kala-
guyo umano ang maysumbong.
Ayon sa maysumbong, pinagbibintangan sya ng kanyang asawa na may kalaguyo umano ito, naging dahilan ito
upang saktan ng ipinagsusumbong ang maysumbong. Nangyari ito oras humigit-kumulang ng 9:00 PM, petsa
9/25/05. Sa kalsada ng Blk. XXX hanggang sa bahay nila ……
3/17/05
7:53 HRS
309 Mangyaring nagsadya sa himpilan ng BPSO GHOC si Gng. XXXXX, F, 50 y/o, residence in XXXXX, GHOC upang
ireklamo si G. XXXXX m, 30 y/o, residence in XXXXX upper GHOC sa pagbabanta, panggugulo at nais niyang
makipaghiwalay sa kanyang live in partner Mr. XXXX na naganap sa ika 17 ng Marso 2005, more or less 6:00 ng
gabi sa # XXXXXX, GHOC ayon sa salaysay ng maysumbong di umanoy pinapabayaan sila ni G.XXXX na ukol sa
suporta sa pamilya.

Annex 4
Bgy. Gordon Heights Compliance Monitoring Report Submitted to DILG

Annex 5
Bgy. West Bajac-bajac Samples of Registered VAWC Complaints
(copied from the logbook of West Bajac-bajac; names of victim-survivors and perpetrators
as well as their addresses are blocked out to maintain confidentiality)
Saturday
(no date recorded)
08:35 P.M.
Si Gng. XXXXXX, 35 taong gulang, may asawa at nakatira sa # XXXXX, WBB, OC, ay nagsadya dito sa Brgy. Hall ng WBB OC
upang ipaalam ang ginawang pananakit sa kanya ng kanyang asawa sa loob mismo ng kanilang inuupahang bahay na kung kaya
niya ipinaalam ang nasabing pangyayari ay upang magkaroon siya ng basehan kung sakaling ulitin pa ng kanyang asawa na
saktan siya.
Monday
11-19-07
11:19 A.M.
Nagsadya sa Headquarters ng Brgy. Police ng WBB, O.C. sina XXXXXX may sapat na taong gulang at XXXXXX 29 na taong
gulang at nakatira sa XXXXX WBB, O.C. upang ipagbigay alam ang pangyayaring pagpapakulong naming kay XXXXX may sapat
na taong gulang ng nasabi ding tirahan na asawa ni XXXXXX at apo naman ni XXXXXX sa dahilang si XXXXX ay nagwawala sa
kanila, sinasaktan niya at binugbog ang kanyang asawang si XXXXX, sinira pa niya at binato ang pintuan (3) ng bahay ng kanyang
Lolo; na ito ay nangyari kaninang madaling araw, mga ika -3 ng madaling araw.
Attested by:
(signed) XXXX
Sunday
10-01-08
4:00 P.M.
Log # 447
Si XXXXX, 25 taong gulang ng XXXXX WBB, O.C. ay nagsadya sa Brgy. Hall ng WBB, O.C. upang magbigay alam ang pangya-
yaring panggugulo sa kanila ng kaniyang asawa na si XXXXX may sapat na taong gulang ng XXXXX, WBB, O.C. na ito ay maipa-
blotter ni Gng. Xxxxxx upang maimbita si Mr. XXXXX ng maayos ang problema nilang mag-asawa.
Blotter by: XXXXXX XXXXXXX

(signed: XXXXX) (signed: Nagpa blotter)
Ex-O-Tanod

Annex 6
VAWC Implementation Report – Bgy. West Bajac-bajac

Annex 7
City Police Detailed Report on Crimes Against Women (2004-2009)

Annex 8
Cases of Violation of R.A.s 9208 and 9262 (PREDA Foundation)

Annex 9
VAWC Cases, Jan.-June 2009
Olongapo City
Status (as of June 2009)
Case Number Ongoing or
Decided Dismissed Withdrawn Archived
pending
2004
698-2004 
2005
101-2005 
758-2005 
2006
72-2006 
98-2006 
Provisionally
103-2006
dismissed
114-2006 
229-2006 
Provisionally
248-2006
dismissed
625-2006 
2007
69-2007 
94-2007 
112-2007 
205-2007 
219-2007 
242-2007 
253-2007 
267-2007

268-2007
271-2007

272-2007
285-2007 

pending
310-2007 
312-2007 
313-2007 
2008
26-2008 
41-2008 
45-2008 
66-2008 
69-2008

70-2008
Provisionally
97-2008
dismissed
100-2008 
Provisionally
101-2008
dismissed
102-2008 
103-2008 
104-2008 
107-2008 
117-2008 
127-2008 
Provisionally
131-2008
dismissed
132-2008 
133-2008 
Provisionally
135-2008
dismissed
136-2008 
137-2008 
141-2008

142-2008
154-2008 
164-2008 
171-2008 
182-2008 
185-2008 
188-2008 
195-2008 
199-2008 
200-2008 
207-2008 
209-2008 
2009

pending
01-2009 
04-2009 
05-2009 
06-2009 
07-2009

09-2009
10-2009 
18-2009 
23-2009 
25-2009 
30-2009 
33-2009 
38-2009 
39-2009 
51-2009 
60-2009

61-2009
64-2009 
68-2009
69-2009 
70-2009
71-2009 
79-2009 
84-2009 
85-2009 
89-2009 
94-2009

95-2009
100-2009 
101-2009 
102-2009 
106-2009 
108-2009 
109-2009 
111-2009

112-2009
113-2009 
116-2009 
117-2009 
126-2009 
TOTAL 1 case 12 cases 0 75 cases 11 cases

Annex 10
VAWC Cases, As of July-Dec. 2009
Olongapo City
Case Number Status
Jan-June July-Dec Ongoing
2009 2009 or pending
2004
698-2004 
2005
101-2005  
758-2005
2006
98-2006  
103-2006
114-2006  
229-2006
248-2006
72-2006  
625-2006
2007
69-2007  
94-2007  
112-2007  
205-2007  
219-2007  
Prov. dis-
242-2007 
missed
253-2007
267-2007  
268-2007  
271-2007  
272-2007  
Prov. dis-
285-2007 
missed
310-2007  
312-2007
313-2007
2008
26-2008  
41-2008  
Prov. dis-
45-2008 
missed
66-2008
69-2008  
70-2008  

Case Number Status
97-2008
Prov. dis-
100-2008 
missed
101-2008
102-2008
103-2008  
104-2008
107-2008
117-2008  
127-2008
131-2008
132-2008  
133-2008
135-2008
136-2008
137-2008  
141-2008  
142-2008  
154-2008  
164-2008  
171-2008
182-2008  
185-2008  
Prov. dis-
188-2008 
missed
195-2008  
199-2008  
Prov. dis-
200-2008 
missed
207-2008  
209-2008  
2009
01-2009
04-2009
05-2009  
06-2009  
07-2009  
09-2009  
10-2009  
18-2009  
23-2009 
25-2009
30-2009  
33-2009
38-2009  

Case Number Status
39-2009  
51-2009
61-2009  
64-2009  
68-2009  
69-2009  
70-2009  
Prov. dis-
71-2009 
missed
79-2009
82-2009  
84-2009  
85-2009  
89-2009  
94-2009  
95-2009  
100-2009  
101-2009  
102-2009  
106-2009  
108-2009  
109-2009  
Prov. dis-
111-2009 
missed
Prov. dis-
112-2009 
missed
113-2009  
116-2009  
117-2009  
126-2009  
July – Dec Ongoing or
2009 pending
137-2009 
138-2009 
138-2009 
150-2009 
151-2009 
163-2009 
166-2009 
167-2009 
168-2009 
178-2009 
181-2009 
182-2009 
184-2009 

July – Dec Ongoing or
2009 pending
185-2009 
186-009 
192-2009 
195-2009 
196-2009 
197-2009 
206-2009 
207-2009 
210-2009 
211-2009 
232-2009 
235-2009 
238-2009 
239-2009 
240-2009 
241-2009 
242-2009 
245-2009 
247-2009 
249-2009 
250-2009 
251-2009 
256-2009 
261-2009 
269-2009 
271-2009 
272-2009 
273-2009 
274-2009 
275-2009 
276-2009 
288-2009 
289-2009 
294-2009 
296-2009 
TOTAL 0 21 3 72 26

Annex 11
Statistical Report on Dismissed and Archived VAWC Cases (2005-2009)
Family Court Branch 73 - Olongapo City
Criminal Case Status of Case

Number
Dismissed Archived
474-2005 
581-2005 
01-2006 
87-2006 
88-2006 
159-2006 
169-2006 
170-2006 
171-2006 
172-2006 
173-2006 
191-2006 
192-2006 
193-2006 
194-2006 
349-2006 
393-2006 
397-2006 
418-2006 
446-2006 
469-2006 
482-2006 
501-2006 
522-2006 
552-2006 
583-2006 
334-2006 
469-2006 
522-2006 
584-2006 
623-2006 
635-2006 
627-2006 
27-2007 
36-2007 
33-2007 
49-2007 
57-2007 
75-2007 
81-2007 

Criminal Case Status of Case
Number
Dismissed Archived
82-2007 
100-2007 
105-2007 
113-2007 
231-2007 
436-2006 
626-2006 
265-2006 
266-2006 
83-2007 
310-2006 
641-2006 
642-2006 
115-2007 
133-2007 
154-2007 
217-2007 
263-2007 
266-2007 
286-2007 
308-2007 
312-2007 
313-2007 
319-2007 
320-2007 
16-2008 
17-2008 
18-2008 
39-2008 
40-2008 
42-2008 
60-2008 
61-2008 
74-2008 
78-2008 
99-2008 
105-2008 
146-2008 
147-2008 
TOTAL 44 cases 35 cases

Annex 12a
Status of Trafficking Cases
Family Court Branch 73 - Olongapo City
Criminal Case Number Status
12-2009 Continuation of hearing – 1/20/10
90-2009 Initial hearing – 2/19/10
Annex 12b
Statistical Report on TPO and PPO (Jan. 2003-Dec. 2009)
Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 73 - Olongapo City
Case Number Nature of Cases Status
Legal separation with Prayer for Writ of
13-0-2003 Preliminary Injunction with Temporary Dismissed Dec. 16, 2009
Restraining Order
Support and Custody with Prayer for Sup-
219-0-2005 Decided March18, 2008
port Pendente and PPO
Acknowledgment as Illegitimate Child under
Pending Trial; court hearing
Art. 175 of the Family Code with Prayer for
355-0-2005 Support and Support Pendente Lite and
Reset to March 3, 2010
Petition
for Protection Order under RA 9262
Application for Issuance of a Protection
410-0-2005 Dismissed
Order
Custody and Support with Prayer for TPO
159-0-2006 Decided Feb. 27, 2009
and Support Pending Litigation
Protection Order with Application for Tem-
82-0-2007 PPO issued July 16, 2007
porary Restraining Order
Declaration of Nullity of Marriage with Ap-
132-0-2007
plication for Issuance of TPO/PPO Dismissed
TPO issued on July 30,
Declaration of Nullity of Marriage with Ap- 2008; pending trial; court
197-0-2008
plication for Issuance of TPO/PPO hearing reset to April 23,
2010

Annex 13
Cases Handled by Zambales CIDT

Annex 14
Executive Order No. 25 – Creating the Anti-Indecency Board

Annex 15
Ordinance No. 102 – Curfew Hours for Minors

Annex 16
Ordinance No. 78 – Rules and Regulations to Govern the Operation,
Licensing and Supervision of all Computer-related Establishments

Annex 17
Ordinance No. 79 – Defining and Penalizing Online Pornography

Annex 18
Ordinance No. 69 – Providing for a City Gender and Development Code

Annex 19
Ordinance No. 26 – Creating a Joint Local Inter-agency Council for Anti-trafficking and Anti-VAWC

Annex 20
Ordinance No. 51 – Addressing the System of Prostitution, Imposing Penalties on the Perpetrators,
Providing Protective Measures and Support for the Prostituted Persons

Annex 21
Ordinance No. 29 – Adopting R.A. 9208 and Its Implementing Rules and Regulations

Annex 22
Resolution No. 143 – Supporting the Anti-obscenity and Pornography Act of 2004

Annex 23
Resolution No. 144 – Supporting the Passage of House Bill 4613,
“An Act Defining the Crime of Child Pornography”

Annex 24
Resolution No. 145 – Supporting House Bill 4575,
“An Act Penalizing Online Child Pornography”

Annex 25
Resolution No. 31 – Urging the LGUs to Call for Advocacy to Uplift Women’s Rights and Dignity

Annex 26
Resolution No. 98 – Supporting the Local MOVE in Olongapo City

Annex 27
Resolution No. 22 – Declaring March 2000 as International Women’s Month

Annex 28
List of Participants - Research Validation Workshop
April 20, 2010 / 9 a.m.-2 p.m. / Aristocrat Restaurant, SBMA, Olongapo City
Name Organization Designation Address Contact Number
Business Permit
Mely Zande Calba License Officer 222-2553
Office
Alex Hermoso PREDA Executive Director Olongapo City preda/ex@info.com.ph
Bgy. Gondon Hts.,
Isagani D. Dela Cruz, Jr. Bgy. GH Council Kagawad 0908-787-4025
Olongapo City
Mavic P. Baviera City Vice Mayor’s Office Legislative Staff Officer Olongapo City Hall 0917-512-0755
Elsa Gonzaga BUKLOD Vice President Olongapo City 223-5826
Francis Mercado BHRAO President BBOL 0919-400-0650
SP03 Jose Acera CIDG OIC, Sub-Officer Eba, Zambales 0908-208-5399
Atty. Anna Maria F. Sison RTC, Br. 73 Clerk of Court Hall Of Justice O,C 0928-353-1301
Fina Marabe Maranun PREDA Documentation Officer Olongapo City 0920-281-7310
Gene Eclarin CSWDO SCWDO
Nova N. Codoy CSWDO SWD-III CSWDO-Olongapo
P1 Maila Maramag PNP-OCPO Chief, WCPD/FJGSS Camp Cabal, OC
SPO1 Johanna Yalung PNP-OCPO WCPD PNCO Camp Cabal, OC
Bgy. West Bajac-
Elizabeth Tamano Bgy. WBB Council Bgy. Secretary 047-222-5173
Bajac
Conrad Hipolito Bgy. WBB Council BHRAO WBB 222-5173
Brenda Moreno BUKLOD Assistant 254 Rizal 0921-527-7328
Mary Ann Valerio- No. 16 4th st. West 224-6006
Yokubari Foundation Program Director
Torralba Tapirac, OC 0927-994-0473
No. 4422
Gloria D. Reyes SK City BFED Legislative Staff 0918-664-2392
Tabacunan, OC
April M. Donagas Gordon College Admin. Staff Olongapo City 0920-289-0168
Bgy. West Bajac-
Alma G. Bulawan BUKLOD President
Bajac
Secretary of Councilor
Aivy Cabanglan CC City Council 0927-863-6904
Elena Dabu
Edna Dela Cruz WEDPRO Quezon, City 426-74-79
Lilian Pimentel WEDPRO Quezon, City 426-74-79
Donna Ete WEDPRO Quezon, City 426-74-79
Cristina Buenaflor WEDPRO Quezon, City 426-74-79
Alpha Allanigui WEDPRO Quezon, City 426-74-79
Damcelle Torres WEDPRO Board Member Q,C 0917-545-6105
Reena B. Marcelo WEDPRO Board Member Q,C
Project Manager
Aida Santos-Maranan WEDPRO Q,C 05-426-7479
Board Member
Jesusa Surla WEDPRO Angeles City A.C

Surviving Violence and Trafficking-Stories of Women and Youth: Olongapo

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Surviving Violence and Trafficking-Stories of Women and Youth: Olongapo

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SURVIVING VIOLENCE & TRAFFICKING

STORIES OF WOMEN AND YOUTH OF OLONGAPO CITY

ABOUT THE PROJECT AND THE PUBLISHER

Private and Public Faces of Violence Against Women: Addressing

A project funded by A project implemented by

Surviving Violence and Trafficking:

Research and Editorial Team:

First printing August 2010; second printing December 2010

Printed by RightClick Design and Editorial Services

vi Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City vii

viii Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City ix

x Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 1

The Global Realities of VAWC

2 Surviving Violence and Trafficking

VAWC in the Philippine Context

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 3

4 Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Looking Through the Gendered Lens: A Framework of Analysis

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 5

Bars/Disco Bars/Cocktail Lounges

6 Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 7

Collection of Secondary Materials

Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)

Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)

8 Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 9

10 Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Focused Group Discussions (please refer to Annex 2)

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 11

VAWC and Trafficking Statistics

12 Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Cases filed in Family Court

Problems in reporting trafficking cases

Filing Cases in Court

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 13

The Service Providers and VAWC

Non-cooperation from victims

14 Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Service providers also at risk

Barangays’ Handling of VAWC Cases

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 15

When a case is considered closed

16 Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Five major enabling factors cited by KIs

Steps to address trafficking

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 17

18 Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Problems related to trafficking

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 19

Profiles of the women (please refer to Table 14)

Profiles of the VAWC perpetrators and traffickers

20 Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Reaction of VAWC and Trafficking Survivors

Support System of VAWC Survivors

Present Concerns of VAWC Survivors

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 21

22 Surviving Violence and Trafficking

Stories of Women and Youth of Olongapo City 23

24 Surviving Violence and Trafficking