By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) strongly condemned all forms of violence against women following the circulation of CCTV footage allegedly showing a police officer physically assaulting his partner in Malolos City.
The Commission acknowledged the swift response of the Philippine National Police (PNP), including the officer’s relief from duty, placement under custody, and the launch of an official investigation. According to the PCW, these actions are crucial in ensuring accountability and preserving public trust in institutions sworn to protect the people.
The agency stressed that violence inside intimate and domestic relationships can never be justified under any circumstances. While the case must undergo a fair and thorough investigation, the Commission emphasized that any act of intimidation, abuse, or physical force—especially by individuals in authority—must be dealt with decisively under the law.
The PCW reiterated that laws such as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act and the Magna Carta of Women exist to protect women from abuse and uphold their rights to safety, dignity, and justice.
Beyond criminal liability, the Commission described domestic violence as a serious human rights and public safety issue that destroys families, traumatizes communities, and weakens social trust. It emphasized that no woman—regardless of status or background—should ever suffer abuse within her own home.
The incident, according to the PCW, also highlights the urgent need for deeper policy reforms and long-term cultural transformation toward genuine gender equality, echoing the call made by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in March 2026. The President underscored that true equality requires not only legal reforms but also a cultural shift that firmly rejects violence against women in all forms.
The Commission further called on parents, educators, religious leaders, and public figures to become active voices in rebuilding a culture that refuses to normalize abuse, victim-blaming, harassment, and misinformation.
Invoking the country’s pre-colonial heritage, the PCW reminded the public that Filipino culture once honored women through the revered role of the babaylan. Rejecting violence against women, the Commission said, is not merely social change—it is reclaiming the nation’s true identity and values.
The PCW ended its statement with a firm message: violence against women should never define the Filipino people, and no badge, position, or authority should ever place anyone above accountability.
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