An all-women police force has been established in a fifth-class municipality of 14,000 in Siquijor.
A first in the male-dominated Philippine National Police (PNP), the 21-strong force, dubbed as “Mariang Pulis,” is led by Police Capt. Judith Besas.
They are tasked with maintaining peace and order in the town of Maria which is comprised by 22 barangays.
“This is a game-changing reform on women empowerment that makes this a history for the PNP,” said Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman.
Banac said that prior to the launch, there were only six policewomen in the town, mostly doing office works while some are assigned to the women and children welfare desk.
Police Col. Angela Rejano, the provincial police director of Siquijor, then came up with the idea of converting the town’s police station into an all-female force.
With the support of Police Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, Central Visayas regional police director, Rejano started to recruit qualified policewomen in the province and pick those who passed the examinations and rigid physical, medical, and mental tests.
“We chose selected female officers to undertake capacity development training,” said Rejano.
“They were trained on driving, shooting, arresting techniques, and other police operation and intervention procedures,” she added.
Among them were the setting up and manning of checkpoints, Automated Fingerprint Identification System, and first aid.
Rejano said the Maria Police Station is now operating in full capacity.
Initially named “Kangmenia’ based on a local folklore, the town was renamed Maria by the Spaniards in the 1800.
“Having initiated this new concept of gender and development for policewomen in Siquijor, the Mariang Pulis signals the time to move forward in promoting the vision and mission of the PNP in creating an opportunity for women to strengthen their role in the context of policing in the law enforcement pillar,” said Rejano.
Sinas said: “This move will strongly advance women empowerment in promoting public safety and security services at all levels of police units and offices in the region.”
Recently, the PNP Highway Patrol Group deployed all-female police motorcycle riders to help in addressing the traffic problems in Metro Manila, particularly the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, or EDSA.
Several female officers have also etched their mark, among them is the now retired Police Major Gen. Lina Sarmiento, the first and only female PNP officer with a two-star.
In Cebu City, Police Col. Royina Garma became popular for leading the anti-crime operations, particularly in the campaign against illegal drugs. She retired in the police service after being appointed as chairperson of the Philippine Charity Sweesptakes Office. (Aaron Recuenco)