The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has launched an investigation after receiving complaints that a resident seeking to file a Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) report at Police Station 17 Baliok was allegedly turned away at least twice due to the absence of a desk officer.

In a social media post, a resident said they went to the police station to file a report but were asked to return the next day because the VAWC desk officer was attending a Women’s Month activity. When the resident returned after several days to follow up, the VAWC office was reportedly closed again, and no officers were available to assist, and she was told again to return the next day.

The incident has reached the attention of DCPO Director, Col. Peter Madria.

Madria said such lapses in service will not be tolerated, especially for sensitive cases involving women and children.

Madria ordered an investigation into the operations of the WCPD at the station.

“Mao ng naghatag dayon siya og aksyon ug ginapasubmit og explanation letter ang station commander sa Police Station 17, PMajor Untalan and also nagahatag pud og instruction ang atoang City Director sa atong Chief WCPD sa DCPO kay PMaj. Birondo to monitor sa tanang WCPD incharge sa 19 police stations,” DCPO Spokesperson, Capt. Hazel Caballero, said.

DCPO assured the public that the incident will not happen again and that police stations and offices will operate 24/7, with desk officers and WCPD personnel always on duty.

“Dapat naa gyud siya diha 24/7 naa diha sa iyahang lingkuranan, naa sa opisina para kung mangayo og tabang og immediate assistance, anaa dayon maka-assist dayon ang atoang kapulisan. Dili ta magrason nga naay activity, kung naay activity ang incharge, dapat naa automatic mupuli esp. sa WCPD,” Caballero added.