The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be using women’s charm in dealing with rowdy motorists in a new ploy to impose discipline in busy roads of Metro Manila, specially along the stretch of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).
But wait, these 48 female operatives of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) maybe ensnaring but they are armed and really kick a** for motorists who would dare mess with them.
HPG director Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz said their female personnel would be tasked to assist in traffic management along EDSA which is now the country’s symbol of what hellish traffic is like and other traffic-problematic roads.
“They are ready to respond to any given situation because they are police officers. They underwent the same training as their male counterparts,” said Cruz.
“This is what we call gender equality,” he added.
That training, according to Cruz, includes a 45-day motorcycle-riding course.
As police officers, the female cops were also taught at least a basic self-defense and also underwent marksmanship training.
Of the 48 female HPG cops, Cruz said 20 of them will be deployed along EDSA while the rest are in various roads in Metro Manila.
Aside from enforcing traffic laws, Cruz said the 48 female cops are also tasked to help in easing traffic flow especially with the expected huge volume of vehicles that would ply Metro Manila roads for the Yuletide season.
But Cruz said the female cops are not yet deputized by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to issue traffic violation tickets.
“We are already working on it. The LTO is now processing their papers,” said Cruz.
As a temporary solution, Cruz said the female cops would be partnered with a traffic policemen who have already been deputized by the LTO.
The HPG leadership believes that rowdy motorists would likely hold their temper in dealing with female police officers.
This was echoed by Patrolwoman Judy Ann Maata who said that women have this innate ability to soften the heart of men.
“Once we approach motorists who would commit violations, they would not likely be angry because there is still this respect for women,” said Maata.
Besides, Maata said motorists would not likely attempt to bribe female officers because they are aware that women are unlikely to yield to any bribe offer. (Aaron Recuenco)
