‘Female AFP chief soon a possibility’

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio — Will the next generation see a woman as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)? Why not?

Malacañang and Armed Forces officials said the prospect of the country having a female AFP chief is not farfetched, especially with the growing number of women entering military service, including through the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, a former military general and defense secretary, and Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said not only do females pass admission tests at the PMA, but they also excel in their military training, often outperform their male classmates and graduate with honors.

"It’s not very far (off)," Ermita commented on the female AFP chief scenario after attending the graduation of the PMA "Mandala" Class of 2006 here yesterday. "There was a time the number one (PMA graduate) was a female cadet."

"Maybe in one generation," he predicted.

Ermita pointed out that this year’s recipient of the PMA’s top award for sports, the Athletic Saber, is 2nd Lt. May Wangdali.

President Arroyo, in addressing the commencement exercises, noted that the number of females entering military service was growing.

"A special mention to the female graduates because there were only 77 female graduates before this class from the PMA, and now you will add 37 to the 77, a 33 percent increase in the female graduates in the history of the PMA," Mrs. Arroyo said.

Out of the top 10 graduates, two are females — 2nd Lts. Amina Abdula, who is joining the Air Force, and Joy Penaloza, who chose to join the Navy.

Ermita said it was only 12 years ago that the PMA started accepting female cadets.

Esperon said it is possible that there would be a female AFP chief but could not say whether it would take place in his lifetime.

"Why not?" Esperon asked. "We already have two woman presidents." — Paolo Romero