Clothing not invitation for harassment, abuse–PNP Women and Children Protection Center

The Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center has released an announcement reminding the public that whatever women wear will never be an invitation for harassment or any form of abuse.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the center featured different types of dresses and wrote, “Ito ay dress. Hindi ito ‘Yes.’”   

It added: “Ang istilo o pamamaraan ng pananamit ng isang indibidwal ay hindi imbitasyon o excuse para gumawa ng krimen. Isang paalala mula kay #AlengPulis.”

As of writing, the post has received over 10,000 reactions, with more than 6,000 hearts and close to 4,000 thumbs up.

Its shares have hit close to 10,000, and most of its nearly 300 comments contain praises for the post.

Some of its top comments included: “This is great, very cool and very commendable! Para lang sa akin, ito ang pinakamagandang PubMat ng PNP so far because of the graphics and the message it conveys. Keep it up!”

Another Facebook user said, “Wow! Dahil sa statement na yan, like ko na agad page niyo! Hahaha! Seriously, thank you for this. It’s really heartwarming to hear that from a group within PNP. Please continue on protecting women and upholding women's rights.”

Both commenters were males.

The reminder comes after Lucban Municipal Police Station went under fire for releasing a statement advising women to stop wearing short clothes as to not be targets of sex crimes. 

Numerous netizens, including celebrity Frankie Pangilinan, had called out this thinking and said that instead of teaching women how to dress, they should teach people not to rape. 

Shortly after that, #HijaAko trended on Twitter after Frankie used it in response to TV and radio personality Ben Tulfo, who addressed her as “hija” in his tweets, saying, “Sexy ladies, be careful how you dress up! You are inviting the beast.” 

Frankie replied and said that rape culture is real and calling her “hija” will not belittle her point.

The daughter of Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and actress Sharon Cuneta started using the hashtag as a way to encourage people to fight victim blaming. – RC, GMA News