Why crimes are
not reported

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Managing Editor ANTONIETA B. LOPEZ Business Editor ODETTE MONTELIBANO Desk Editor MARY ANN BARCELONA Advertising Coordinator RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete

ANDRES R. LEONARDIA Managing Director

A recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia has revealed that 80 percent of Filipinos do not report crimes committed against them. Unfortunately, the survey did not disclose the reason why crime victims do not bother, or want to inform the authorities of what they have gone through.

The results are not very flattering to our police agencies who, apparently, do not enjoy the confidence of the people they are supposed to protect. This could have been caused by reports about the manner in which law enforcers conduct their investigations on criminal complaints, or on their foot-dragging responses to calls for help.

In the same way, the findings of the Pulse survey are also not complimentary to our Justice system, whose role is to act on the complaints brought to the police, who are, in fact, expected to bring the cases up in representation of "The People of the Philippines".

Indeed, the report on the survey results also noted that one of the reasons why people hesitate, or avoid reporting crimes or filing charges altogether, is that litigation could be a very expensive and long-drawn out affair that could not only test one's patience, but will also drain one's pockets.

A very recent case in point is that of Thelma Panes, the woman from Hinoba-an, who suffered extensive burns all over her face and body. The other day, she was supposed to attend a hearing on her case, but was informed by the prosecutor that she had to get her own lawyer to pursue it. Is it not supposed to be the prosecution's role to do that? Will Thelma Panes not get the justice she deserves because she has no money for her medication, much less to pay a lawyer?

There are many other similar stories of people's experiences with the police and the courts. Is it any wonder, then, that 80 percent no longer bother?*