MANILA - The Angono police station was only giving "brotherly" advice when it issued guidelines on how to avoid rape, which scores of netizens criticized for supposed misogyny, the head of the Philippine National Police said Thursday.

Among the tips enumerated by the police unit in a Facebook post was refraining from wearing short clothes, going to dark areas alone, and drinking liquor on dates. It also promoted the use of pepper spray and tear gas.

"That's just a brotherly advice. Even as a father and as a brother to a sister, medyo alam mo na kapag kasi ikaw ay nagbihis nang medyo sexy talagang prone ka to pansin, babastusin ka," PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde told reporters.

"Paminsan-minsan maka-tiyempo ka nung gaya nung naglalakad ka sa kalsada, pipituhin ka, babastusin ka," he added.

(You know that when you dress a bit provocatively, you're prone to attention, you may be disrespected. Sometimes, you'll encounter wolf whistles just while walking on the street.)

Police, he said, only wanted to urge the public to "dress in accordance to the place and occasion they are going to."

The Angono police has apologized for the anti-rape tips, which are no longer available on its Facebook page.

"Ang amin pong intensiyon ay mapaalalahanan ang lahat para maiwasan po na maging biktima ng insidente ng rape. Sabi nga po 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,'" it said.

(Our intention was to remind everyone so they can avoid becoming rape victims. As they, 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.')

• Angono cops' anti-rape tips draw flak

Staunch women’s rights advocate Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier said she was "extremely disappointed" with the Angono police’s post, adding that "clothes don't cause rape, rapists do."

Hontiveros said her office is willing to train Angono police personnel on producing gender-sensitive information materials.

The Angono police station previously issued tips to combat other crimes like robbery, carjacking, and murder.

With a report from Raffy Santos, ABS-CBN News