Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 3) — Nearly 9,000 cases of abuse against children were recorded last year, an official from the Council for the Welfare of Children said Friday.
Citing data from the Women and Children Protection unit, Undersecretary Angelo Tapales said there were 8,948 child abuse cases in 2022.
He told a public briefing that protection units are stationed in hospitals across the country.
The Makabata Helpline — which stands for “mahalin at kalingain ating mga bata” (love and care for the children) and launched late last year — received 43 reports of child abuse, with most involving aged 15-17.
Tapales warned abusers.
“This is a serious matter so ‘wag maging panatag ang nangaabuso sa mga bata [child abusers should not take things lightly],” he said.
