Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is the safest place for women in the country, according to latest data from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Despite the heavy presence of secessionist Muslim rebels and bandits in the region, PNP Directorate for Investigative Detective Management figures covering January to June this year showed that four provinces in the region – Lanao Del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi – accounted for only 82 of the 23,622 crimes against women.
MIMAROPA or Region IV-B, comprising Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Romblon and Palawan, was second with 247 cases. Ilocos Region came in third with 257 cases, followed by Cagayan Valley (258), Cordillera Autonomous Region (395), Eastern Visayas (569), Central Luzon (678), Bicol (714), Western Mindanao (840), Caraga (1,090) and Southern Tagalog (1,256).
Western Visayas, consist of Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo, is the most dangerous with 4,175 cases, followed by Northern Mindanao (Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental) with 4,198 cases.
Davao Region is the third most dangerous place for women with 3,866 cases followed by Central Visayas (Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor) with 1, 973 cases; Central Mindanao (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) with 1,647 cases, and Metro Manila with 1, 369 cases.
