Crime in the Philippines

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

A boat belonging to the Philippine National Police at the Iloilo River in Iloilo City

Crime is present in various forms in the Philippines, and remains a serious issue throughout the country. Illegal drug trade, human trafficking, arms trafficking, murder, corruption and domestic violence remain significant concerns.

Crime by type

Murder

In 2014, the Philippines had a murder rate of 9.84 per 100,000 people, with a number of 9,784 recorded cases. The country also has the highest rate of murder cases in Southeast Asia in 2013, with a rate of 8.8, followed by Thailand.[1] The murder rate in the Philippines reached its peak in 2002 and 2010, with rates of 8.1 (6,553 cases) and 9.5 (8,894 cases). [2]

Organized crime

Organized crime in the Philippines can be linked to certain families or barkadas (groups) who perpetrate crimes ranging from

better source needed
]

Illegal drug trade

Meth ("shabu") and marijuana ("weeds" or "damo"), are the most common drugs accounting most drug-related arrests. Most of the illegal drug trade involved members of large Chinese triad groups operating in the Philippines, owing to its location on drug smuggling routes.[citation needed
]

Petty crime

Petty crime, which includes pick-pocketing, is a problem in the Philippines. It takes place usually in locations with many people, ranging from shopping hubs to churches. Traveling alone to withdraw cash after dark is a risk, especially for foreigners.

better source needed
]

Rape

Rape in the Philippines is considered a criminal offense. In Philippine jurisprudence, it is a heinous crime punishable by reclusión perpetua when committed against women. Rape of males is also legally recognized as rape by sexual assault, which is penalized by imprisonment of six to twelve years.[5][6]

Domestic violence

Human trafficking

prostitution of children is a significant issue in the Philippines, often controlled by organized crime syndicates.[10]
Human trafficking in the country is a crime against humanity.[11][12][13][14][15]

In an effort to deal with the problem, the Philippines passed Republic Act (R.A.) 9208, the

child prostitution.[16] Nevertheless, enforcement is reported to be inconsistent.[17][needs update
]

Prostitution

escort services.[18] As of 2009, one source estimates that there are 800,000 women working as prostitutes in the Philippines, with some of them believed to be underage.[18] While victims are largely female, and according to the current Revised Penal Code, there are in fact a small minority of them who are male.[19]

Corruption and police misconduct

Corruption is a major problem in the Philippines. In 2013, during the country's elections, some 504 political candidates were accused mostly of corruption and some of violent crimes.[20][21]


See also

References

  • Global Homicide Book 2014 (PDF). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  1. ^ UNODC 2014, p. 24.
  2. ^ UNODC 2014, p. 128.
  3. ^ Kowalzki, Eugene (July 12, 2010). "Filipino Gangs in the Philippines". Zimbio. Archived from the original on July 14, 2010.
  4. ^ "Crime in the Philippines". World Nomads. June 9, 2010. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  5. ^ "Republic Act 8353: The Anti-Rape Law of 1997". pcw.gov.ph. 1997.
  6. ^ "Act No. 3815, s. 1930 (The Revised Penal Code of the Philippines)". 1930. Title Two: Penalties; Chapter Three: Duration and Effect of Penalties.
  7. ^ Dobash, R. Emerson. and Russell Dobash. Rethinking Violence against Women. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1998. Print.
  8. ^ "One In Four Women Have Ever Experienced Spousal Violence (Preliminary results from the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey)". psa.gov.ph. March 26, 2018. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  9. ^ "Table 1. Spousal violence by background characteristics" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 18, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  10. ^ "'Chairman' reveals seedy world of trafficking". BBC News. April 1, 2007. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
  11. ^ "What is Human Trafficking?". Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  12. ^ "Child Trafficking". Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  13. ^ "Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Articles 1 to 33)- Prevent Genocide International". Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  14. ^ Hansen, Scott. "Japan's Fight against Modern-Day Slavery (Part I)". Archived from the original on March 8, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  15. ^ "Cebu a transit point for child trafficking – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos". Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  16. ^ a b RONALD ECHALAS DIAZ, Office Manager. "REPUBLIC ACT NO. 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, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATIONS, AND FOR OTHER". Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  17. The Sunday Tribune. Tribune Newspapers PLC. September 24, 2006. Archived from the original
    on October 12, 2007.
  18. ^ a b "Number of prostitutes in the Philippines". Havoscope. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  19. ^ "Anti-Prostitution Bill". Philippine Commission on Women. Archived from the original on July 7, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  20. ^ "Sandiganbayan files: 256 poll winners have graft, crime cases; 17 convicted". The Philippines Centre of Investigative Journalism. June 10, 2013. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  21. from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.