Power women, men in PNP
I would like to dedicate this piece to “power women and men”.in the Philippine National Police who continue to make significant contributions to different programs of the government in general and the police force in particular.
On Monday, I was with my friends. PNP Director for Police-Community Relations Major General Roderick Alba and PNP Public Information Office chief, Colonel Randy Tuaño at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines or FOCAP event in Diamond Hotel in Manila when the latter told me he has to rush to Camp Crame for a very important event.
We were in FOCAP event to accompany PNP chief General Rommel Marbil who unfortunately failed to join us since he was called to attend a meeting in Malacañang and later with Comelec officials. Maj. Gen. Alba and Col. Tuaño ably fill in the Chief,PNP’s position during the jampacked event.
It turned out that Maj. Gen. Alba had to rush to Camp Crame to represent a very busy Gen. Marbil in the kick-off ceremony of the 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration at the PNP National Headquarters where the top cop underscored their commitment to gender equality, inclusivity, and empowerment.
During the event, Napolcom Commissioner Beatrice Aurora Vega-Cancio and Maj. Gen. Alba presented the Leadership Achievement Award for their exceptional leadership and service to four female police generals and a young PNPA cadette.
The awardees were PNP Health Service director Brig. Gen. Jezebel Medina; PNP Women and Children Protection Center director Brig. Gen. Portia Manalad; PNP Internal Affairs Service-National Capital Region head Brig. Gen. Nora Camarao; Police Regional Office 3 director and concurrent PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo; and PNP Academy Cadette 1st Class Justine Jade Calpahi.
Also cited during the same event were the Police Regional Office headed by Brig. Gen. Lou Evangelista; PRO2 headed by Brig. Gen. Tony Marallag Jr.; the PRO4-A headed by Brig. Gen. Kenneth Lucas; the PRO6 headed by Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky and the PRO11 headed by Brig. Gen. Vic Rosete.
In his brief speech, Commissioner Vega-Cancio underscored the vital role of women in governance, law enforcement, and nation-building as she called for collective action to ensure women’s active participation in shaping the country’s future.
For his part, Gen. Marbil’s speech, as read by Maj. Gen. Alba highlighted the invaluable contribution of women in law enforcement and their ongoing effort to create a workplace that recognizes and supports female officers.
“The PNP upholds gender inclusivity as both policy and principle. Our policewomen are not just equal partners but vital leaders in law enforcement, breaking barriers and redefining leadership,” the PNP chief said.
Also recognized during the event were different PNP stakeholders and Gender and Development or GAD advocates. They include the British Embassy Manila represented by Detective Chief Inspector Simon Jones; the Napolcom GAD Technical Working Group led by Director Donna Lyn Caparas; the PNP Officers Ladies Club chaired by Mrs. Mary Rose Marbil, the wife of Gen. Marbil; the Republic Defenders, represented by Ambassador VQ Querol; and the Soroptimist International of the Americas Philippine Region represented by Governor Marivic Paras.
Gen. Marbil has not minced any words in highlighting the the “women power” in the 232,000-strong police force. He also has cited the indispensable role of female police officers in shaping the future of law enforcement.
According to the top cop, women now make up nearly 20 percent of the entire force, with 42,757 female personnel serving in various capacities nationwide — a testament to the PNP’s commitment to gender equality and professional excellence.
“No longer are women just part of the PNP — they are driving its transformation.Their leadership, dedication, and courage have become vital forces in our mission to uphold peace, order, and justice,” the PNP chief said.
Breaking barriers and defying traditional expectations, female officers have stepped into critical leadership roles once dominated by their male counterparts.
They are now commanding field operations, heading specialized units, and making high-stakes decisions that impact national security and public safety, said Col. Tuaño.
Beyond headquarters, female officers are leading security operations on the ground, proving their capability in the toughest assignments. Two women now serve as Chiefs of Police in Makati City and Mandaluyong City.Five female Provincial Directors oversee the safety and security of entire provinces — Aurora, Guimaras, Antique, Siquijor, and Leyte Sur.
Zamboanga City, a critical urban hub, is under the command of Col. Kimberly Molitas while the chief of the Mandaluyong City Police Station is Col. Mary Grace Madayag. Across various leadership levels, 103 Police Colonels and 35 Police Lieutenant Colonels hold strategic positions, demonstrating the undeniable rise of women in the PNP hierarchy. Indeed, these women are not just making history but are shaping the future of policing
MEDALS FOR THESE DAVAO CITY COPS
I’M referring to a group of Davao City policemen whose conduct of hot pursuit operation on Wednesday last week resulted in the immediate capture of one of the armed men who robbed a local pawnshop.
Confiscated from the possession of the suspect were at least P15 million of their loot and several high-powered firearms as well as his getaway motorcycle, i learned from Davao City Police Office director, Colonel Hansel Marantan.
It turned out that the at least five suspects forced their way inside the Hannah Pawnshop branch in Barangay 3-A, Davao City around 9:55 a.m. two Wednesdays ago and at gunpoint ransacked the establishment before fleeing towards the nearby Bankerohan Market.
Col. Marantan said that immediately, a team of Davao City policemen led by Major Emmanuel Manlatican and Captain Narciso Potot Jr. launched a hot pursuit operation which resulted in the capture of one of the suspects identified as Jonny Bulawan, a resident of Albuera, Leyte.
Recovered from the possession of the suspect were one M-16 automatic rifle with a magazine containing live ammunition, one 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a sack found filled with assorted jewelry worth an estimated P15 million. The suspect’s getaway motorcycle was impounded by the Davao City police.
Col. Marantan said they are still tracking down the other thieves who fled with the rest of the loot. The pawnshop, thru its legal counsel reported that it lost more or less P40 million or as much as P100 million worth of jewelry to the suspects.
