Top policewomen feted at Palace

MANILA, Philippines - They fend off communist rebels and foil robberies in jeepneys. And they are women.

President Aquino paid tribute yesterday to the country’s top female police officers, saying courage and dedication in public service know no gender.

Aquino honored the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Ten Outstanding Policewomen for 2013 for their dedication and for upholding the rule of law despite the government’s limited resources.

Among the awardees were Police Inspector Arieza Otida, Senior Police Officer 3 Melinda Amsali, Police Superintendent Maria Leonora Chua-Camarao, Police Chief Inspector Gemma Vidal-Braganza, Police Officer 3 Annaliza Palicpic-Flores.

Senior Police Officer 1 Ruth Bongo Violango, Senior Police Officer 1 Cheryl Quinto Saldo, Police Senior Inspector Jovelyn Abe Bañares, Police Officer 2 Cheryl Lyn Wagas Ano-os and Police Senior Superintendent Herminigilda Dumaguin-Salangad.

In simple ceremonies held at the President’s Hall in Malacañang, Aquino recognized the exceptional dedication and commitment of policewomen in performing their duties.

At the same time, the President also lauded the exemplary service demonstrated by female police officers, noting that gender is immaterial when it comes to public service.

As continued support for the national police force, Aquino also vowed to upgrade their facilities and equipment, continue reforming their ranks and map out programs that will uplift the quality of life of uniformed men and women.

The Search for the Ten Outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines is an annual search sponsored by the Zonta Club of the Makati Paseo de Roxas Foundation Inc., to discover and recognize the efforts and achievements of female members of the PNP.

Brave lady cops cited

Once again, Aquino commended Police Senior Inspector Charity Galvez for successfully defending a police precinct against a rebel attack in Agusan del Sur, and Police Officer 3 Edlyn Arbo for foiling a robbery inside a passenger jeepney.

Aquino mentioned their gallantry during his State of the Nation Address last year.

Aquino cited in particular the utmost dedication of Police Inspector Marjorie Manuta of Tacloban, who was the first police officer to brief him when Super Typhoon Yolanda hit Tacloban in November 2013.

“Two hundred ninety officers and men for the PNP in Tacloban City and there were only 20 present, and this lady, at great risk to herself, at the risk of leaving her family unattended, performed her duty,” he said.

Last April 1, Aquino commended the policewomen who slugged it out with robbers in a jewelry store inside a mall in Pasay City, as well a lady police lieutenant in typhoon-ravaged Tacloban City.

Police Officers 1 Juliet Macababbad, Delia Langpawen, Mercelina Bantiyag and Maricel Rueco were cited for responding during a recent robbery incident at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

“They did not think twice about running away or just wait before proceeding to the scene. To help the hapless civilians, the four just went there – with drawn firearms – and engaged the robbers in a shootout,” Aquino recalled.

In a speech delivered at Camp Crame in Quezon City on the occasion of Araw ng Parangal sa Kapulisan, Aquino made it clear that PNP officials have no right to choose, much less refuse, assignments.