Women’s rights group hits sex-for-freedom scheme

MANILA, Philippines — A women’s rights group yesterday denounced the alleged sex-for-freedom scheme perpetrated by some police officers.

“Such scheme reveals how state institutions have progressed very little in their view and treatment of women,” Tanggol Bayi, an association of women human rights defenders, said.

The group issued the statement after a Manila policeman allegedly raped a 15-year-od girl whose parents were arrested for drugs.

The girl accused Police Officer 1 Eduardo Valencia, assigned with the Manila Police District Station 4 drug enforcement unit, of demanding sex in exchange for the release of her parents.

The group said it also received reports of two Quezon City policemen who supposedly forced a woman to have sex with them in exchange for her freedom.

Meanwhile, newly designated Manila Police District director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr. said he would implement a one-strike policy against erring policemen amid the alleged rape of the drug suspects’ daughter.

Charges of rape have been filed against Valencia before the Manila prosecutor’s office. – Marc Jayson Cayabyab