SENATOR Imee Marcos sought on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, the immediate investigation on the series of disappearances and killings particularly of minor victims over the past weeks.“Hinihiling ko sa PNP (Philippine National Police (PNP) at NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) na agarang imbestigahan at patawan ng parusa ang sinumang salarin sa pagkawala ng mga indibidwal, lalo na ang mga kabataang babae na ginahasa (at) brutal pang pinatay. Dapat wala silang sisinuhin,” she said in a statement.(I ask the PNP and NBI to immediately investigate and punish the persons responsible for the crimes, especially for raping and killing teenage women.)In July, 24-year-old Princess Dianne Dayor was found dead in a creek in Malolos, Bulacan, three days after she went missing. There was no indication that she was raped.The suspect responsible for her killing, identified as Darwin de Jesus, was arrested. He was charged with robbery and homicide.Last week, a 15-year-old biker identified as Princess Mari Dumantay was raped and killed. Her body was dumped on a roadside in Bustos, Bulacan.The suspect, Gaspar Maneja Jr., who also has an outstanding arrest warrant over child abuse and rape, was arrested in Camarines Sur.Police said Maneja took advantage of Dumantay’s love for bikes to win her trust and make her come with him.A seven-year-old girl was also found dead inside a sack in Pila, Laguna. The suspect in the gruesome crime was also a minor teenager.Marcos said parents were expressing concern over these incidents, especially as the face-to-face classes resumed.Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the police are immediately acting upon all reported crimes in their areas of jurisdiction.“So lahat po ng krimen na nare-report sa ating kapulisan ay inaaksyunan ng every unit po… It’s a combination of all the efforts of the PNP. Kung ano po ang matutulong ng bawat unit, kung ano ‘yung skill nila na dapat na magamit, sabay-sabay po yan na ina-address ng kapulisan,” he said in a press conference on Monday, August 22.(Every police unit is acting on crimes reported to their respective offices…It’s a combination of all the efforts of the PNP. Whatever each unit can give and perform, they address the matter jointly.)He also committed to double their efforts in ensuring safer communities especially for the youth amid the resumption of in-person classes.Azurin said he instructed policemen to be more visible near the school campuses and the nearby streets to prevent crime incidents.The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is also conducting an independent investigation on the violent and gruesome incidents.“Children deserve a safe and empowering environment so they may eventually live productive lives. Sadly, crimes such as these further compound the challenges faced by children, especially young girls, during their formative years,” CHR Executive Director Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.“The government should act on these concerns, alongside issues of gender equality, exclusion, and lack of access to opportunities for education and empowerment,” she added.In Rodriguez, Rizal, four bodies, two male and two female, were found inside an abandoned vehicle on Monday, August 22.The victims were yet to be identified but police suspect that the killing was not committed inside the vehicle as there were no blood marks.The bodies bore gunshot wounds in the head and other body parts.Police said investigation is ongoing. (SunStar Philippines)