By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA
NEWLY crowned Police Officer 1 Madonna Gay Cajoco of Zamboanga del Norte has said that she might consider joining bigger pageants if she will get support from the police organization and her family.
“If I will get the support of the Philippine National Police, then I will join other pageants. I have to take a leave from the police force if I will do it,” said Cajoco moments after she was crowned at the 2nd annual Miss Philippine National Police Gandang Pulis 2018 beauty pageant held at the Camp Crame headquarters in Quezon City Monday night.
Cajoco, 24, has been an early favorite in the pageant after she won several special awards such as Best in Ethnic Costume, Ms. Mac Cosmetics, Ms. MX3, Best in Resorts Wear, Best in Long Gown, and Ms. Above Aesthetics. The new police queen also received P50,000 cash and products from this year’s sponsors.
She bested 25 other policewomen nationwide in the pageant that aims to promote the advocacy of the PNP’s recovery and wellness program, programs on women and children, and tourism through the Tourist Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection program.
Assigned at the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9 in Zamboanga del Norte, Cajoco thanked the PNP for empowering the women of the police force.
There was no swimsuit competition during the pageant, only cocktail dresses and evening gowns.
Cajoco also addressed critics of the government’s anti-crime campaign dubbed “Oplan Tokhang” which was relaunched earlier this year.
“They need to know the real meaning of ‘Tokhang’ to fully appreciate it,” she said.
Asked if she was named after pop singer Madonna, Cajoco said: “Actually my mother doesn’t remember anymore how I got my name.”
Cajoco said that her boyfriend, who is also a police officer, is very supportive of her journey to the beauty contest.
Other winners in the pageant were: PO2 May Shell Oro, of Northern Mindanao, Ms. Makadiyos; PO1 Cris Pastores, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Ms. Makatao; PO1 Elymor Chrysma Caberto, Cordillera Tegion, Ms. Makabayan; and PO1 Anne Jerica Buenafe, Central Luzon, Ms. Makakalikasan.
Newly installed PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde lauded women who enter the police force in his welcome speech.
Albayalde said that many women are considering the police force as their profession.
