Top policewomen cited for excellence

These 10 police officers bring a woman’s touch to the male-dominated arena of law enforcement and are being honored for excellence in their work.

President Arroyo presented the PNP Medalya ng Katangitanging Gawa (PNP Outstanding Achievement Medal) and Kabalikat trophy to 10 outstanding policewomen for making a difference in the PNP.

"This goes to show that law enforcement is not exclusively a male domain," PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon said. "There are specialized police functions that are better accomplished by female personnel and this is where policewomen excel over their male counterparts."

Chief Inspector Anita Araullo, chief of the Manila Police District-Women and Children’s Concern Desk, is one of the 10 outstanding policewomen for promoting the interest of women and children.

"For the past few years that I’ve been the chief of WCCD we have rescued an average of five to six battered women and maltreated or sexually abused children daily," Araullo told The STAR.

Being the chief of WCCD, Araullo said she and her team go to their communities to help and promote awareness of the laws that protect women and children.

On Wednesday night, just hours before they received their award, Araullo said her team rescued a mother and daughter from nearby Navotas town. "Lumapit sa amin yung nanay nung babae kasi raw battered wife and child yung kanyang anak at apo (The woman’s mother approached us to say her daughter was a battered wife and that her grandchild was also maltreated). We tried to locate them and fortunately found them."

Araullo said she feels good whenever her team rescues victims of abuse.

Besides Araullo, other awardees were Superintendent Evangeline Candia and Superintendent Lilian Castillo, both from Manila Police District; Senior Inspector Ma. Ivy Castillo of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group; Chief Inspector Emma Galero of Crime Laboratory, Makati City; Senior Inspector Flor Mirasol of Camarines Sur PPO, PRO-5; Senior Inspector Jhoanna Rosales of Regional Public Info Office, PRO-3; Senior Inspector Ma. Cecilia Detablan of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division PRO-6; PO3 Rosalie Aglanang of Sta. Rosa Police Station, Laguna; Inspector Rubenie Grandeza of Ayuy Police Station, Iloilo.

The Ten Outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines 2006 were chosen from among a field of candidates from the different PNP units and offices nationwide.

The annual TOWP Awards is a project of the Zonta Club of Makati Paseo de Roxas and it gives due recognition to policewomen for their outstanding accomplishments in the fields of special operations, "criminalistics," police community relations, investigation and administrative management.

Calderon said the TOPWP Awards is a fitting tribute to the role of Filipino women in law enforcement, and gives emphasis to the policy of gender equality in the police service, where nine percent of personnel are women.

Besides their medals and trophies, the awardees will also receive cash prizes from the Zonta Club of Makati Paseo de Roxas and a gun each from the Arms Corp. of the Philippines (Armscor).