Palace urges ‘sex for pass’ victims to file complaint vs. cops

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the call in a virtual presser aired on state-run PTV-4. (PCOO file photo)

MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday encouraged the victims of cops’ supposed “sex for pass” scheme to come forward so the government can launch a proper investigation against the perpetrators.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the call in a virtual presser aired on state-run PTV-4.

Roque noted that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has yet to receive a complaint from women who have purportedly been sexually abused by erring police front-liners.

“Tinanong naman po namin sa PNP, wala naman daw pong complainant. So kinakailangan yung pito na sinasabing naging biktima ng ‘sex for pass’, kinakailangang lumantad po kayo, mag-reklamo (We asked the PNP and it said there is no complainant. So, the seven alleged victims of sex for pass must come forward and file a complaint),” Roque said.

Roque said the victims who fell prey to the sex for pass harassment may reach his office or the PNP’s Women and Children Protection Office.

“Kung kayo po ay natatakot, pumunta po kayo sa aking tanggapan o di naman po kaya ay sa Women’s and Children’s Desk na meron po tayo sa lahat po ng istasyon ng mga pulis (If you are afraid, go to my office or at the Women’s and Children’s Desk that we have in all police stations),” he said.

Roque issued the statement following reports that some cops deployed in quarantine checkpoints are supposedly trading sex for a quarantine pass amid the imposition of nationwide community quarantine.

PNP chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa has already ordered a thorough investigation into the supposed sexual harassment against women, especially the sex workers, at quarantine control points manned by police officers.

The PNP’s Women and Children Protection Office has been tapped to lead the conduct of the probe.

Gamboa said the PNP is taking the allegations of sexual abuse seriously.

He also assured the victims that appropriate actions will be taken against the rogue policemen, once the allegations are proven true.