The Philippine National Police-Marikina City, through its Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD), has intensified its public awareness and education campaign on crime and child abuse.

WCPD holds until July 31 free lectures and seminars at Marikina’s 17 public elementary and 10 public secondary schools. The public awareness drive is being conducted in cooperation with the Department of Education-Marikina City.

Police Inspector Cristina Sto. Domingo, WCPD chief, said the annual information campaign is being conducted to create vigilance among Marikina’s youth.

“We believe that education will help safeguard our youth from child abuse perpetrators, criminals, and other lawless elements. If our young people are well-informed about crime and child abuse, efforts to combat those problems will have a great chance to succeed,” Sto. Domingo added.

The lectures cover various topics, including children’s rights, crime prevention, provisions of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, RA 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, and the Exploitation and Discrimination Act. SPO4 Nenita Abanes, WCPD assistant chief, is the facilitator.

PNP-Marikina welcomes requests to conduct the seminars at Marikina’s private schools. For details, call tel. no. 430-9690 or 646-1650.