The National Police Commission (Napolcom) regional office in Calabarzon is pushing for programs that would help female members of the police force to have an equal opportunity for advancement in the police service.

According to lawyer Joicel Sopeña-Bote, the focal person for Gender and Development at Napolcom, there are only a few female police officers who have reached third-level positions in the Philippine National Police and the disparity is reflected by the reality that there is only one star-ranked female officer in the entire PNP. 

“Actually, we only have one female police general in Camp Crame, but in Calabarzon there is none. Because for them, if you are a woman, you cannot fight,” Sopeña said as she referred to Brig. Gen. Portia Manalad, director of the Women and Children Protection Center, who is the first female graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy to have reached the rank of police general.

Manalad has broken barriers and paved the way for other women to pursue high-ranking positions within the police force, Sopeña said. 

As the Napolcom celebrates the annual National Women’s Month, it has formed a Women’s Desk, with independently designated officials from the agency, where the wives, partners, and female Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCO) can independently voice out their grievances on the lack of equal opportunities for promotion, physical and emotional distress, and other professional concerns.

"We decided to organize [a Women’s Desk], and with that organization they will be more encouraged to express concern or any issues concerning PNCOs. They will have a voice to form or unify what are the solutions for all their concerns for improvement, aggressive complaints, grievances, and because of this organization, we can act faster to address those concerns,” Sobeña said.

The Police Regional Office in Calabarzon also oversees the Officers Ladies Club whose membership is exclusive to female police officers, as well the wives and partners of their personnel.

The group is meant  to foster camaraderie, professional growth, and an avenue for gender and development programs within the police force. 

Sobeña urges her fellow women in the law enforcement to step outside of their comfort zones and pursue roles traditionally held by men as it helps challenge preconceived notions about gender roles in law enforcement.

“What a man can do, a woman can do too. Let us not let them label us “just a woman” and think that because you're a woman you're just for HR and personnel [works],” she said.

She added: “Challenge yourself and let your superior know that you can do more than what they think you can, because I believe there’s a lot [of women] on our line that can physically investigate and do work as an intel, so there must be no [gender] hindrance to opportunity.” 

Moreso, Sobeña’s message of empowerment serves as a reminder that women have a valuable role to play in law enforcement and should be supported in their efforts to pursue their professional aspirations without limitations based on their gender. (AM/PIA-4A)