Abalos: Female PNP chief possible

MANILA, Philippines — In an organization traditionally led by men, is there a chance that a woman could lead the Philippine National Police (PNP)?

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos  is not discounting the possibility that a female police general would be appointed as chief of the 232,000-strong police force, citing gender equality.

For Abalos, a woman can qualify as the country’s top police officer for as long as she has performed well in her post.

“If that person has the qualifications, then he or she should be next PNP chief,” Abalos said on the sidelines of a recent news forum.

“It should be well rounded. Iba ang pananaw ng mga babae (Women have a different outlook),” he said.

There are currently two female generals in the PNP: Brig. Gen. Portia Manalad of the Women and Children Protection Center and Health Service director Brig. Gen. Jezebel Medina.

Manalad made history last year by being the first female police general who graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy.

Manalad has supervised operations that led to the rescue of children who are victims of human trafficking, online sexual exploitation and other crimes.

Medina, meanwhile, graduated from the University of Baguio with a degree in dentistry. She joined the PNP after finishing her degree.

She held several posts and spearheaded programs and health services for members of the PNP and underprivileged communities.

Under Republic Act 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act, the law that established the PNP, the lowest rank of a qualified PNP chief appointee is a brigadier general.

Since the PNP was established in 1991, no female police general has led the police force.