Bato pushes bill to increase number of women police officers

A bill seeking to increase the number of women police officers in the Philippines was sponsored by Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Monday.

Senate Bill No. 1562 aims to amend the Section 58 of Republic Act No. 8551 or the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998 and increase to 15% the quota for the annual recruitment and training of women cops from the current 10%.

The annual quota shall further be increased to 20% in the next five years.

"A few weeks ago, Mr. President nabalitaan natin na ang mga valedictorian ng Masidlawin Class ng Philippine Military Academy at ng Mandayog Class ng Philippine National Police Academy ay mga babae," said Dela Rosa, chair of the Senate committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, during his sponsorship speech.

"This is not the first time that females have graduated as valedictorians of their classes whether from the PMA or the PNP... Patunay na ang tawag ng tungkulin at pagsisilbi sa bayan ay walang pinipiling kasarian," the former PNP chief added.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on women, said she is happy to support the bill.

"Isa sa mga leksyon sa implementation ng Violence Against Women and Children Law at Safe Spaces Act ay maraming babae ang takot mag-report dahil nahihirapan sila na ang kausap nila ay lalaking pulis," she said in a co-sponsorship speech.

Hopefully this bill will help address that gap," she added. — BM, GMA News