MANILA, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Judith Besas has always dreamt of becoming a policewoman, a passion inspired by her two elder sisters who are also in the service.
After graduating from the Philippine National Police Academy in 2010, she was given various assignments in the force: desk-bound at first, assigned to community relations later on and then enrolled in the intelligence office to take part in anti-criminality field operations in the province of Cebu.
On Sept. 14, Besas was chosen to lead a 28-policewomen team in the first-ever all-female police station in the Philippines in a small municipality called Maria, located in the island-province of Siquijor.
"This is a huge privilege for me, being chosen as the chief of police. This is maybe a small municipality but is still a big challenge for me. We've got a lot to prove to the people," she added.
The all-female police force, according to Siquijor's top cop Col. Angela Rejano, is a way to give women more opportunities in the field and in management, not limiting them to desk duties, where policewomen in the country are usually assigned to.
"Actually, our regional police director wanted an all-female regional police office. I decided to look for a place more appropriate. I discovered that there is a municipality here called Maria, it's a tourist destination and relatively peaceful," Rejano added.
Mariang Pulis, or what the natives call the team, are trained in various police tasks that will enable them to manage a whole police station.
"I want them to be multi-skilled. We trained them in driving, firearm proficiency, fingerprint lifting, arresting techniques, even seaboard patrolling, among others. This way they won't be tied to simple desk functions or administrative work," she added.
Besas recalls the first time their team patrolled the municipality. The locals were surprised at first but were amazed at the high number of arrests they made and warrants they served in just over a week since they first launched.
While Judith thinks the male counterparts are physically stronger, their all-female force has something unique to offer, that makes their team as capable as a police station led by more men.
"Women are great in community relations and in winning the hearts and minds of the people. Because of our administrative work training, we are results-oriented and very meticulous", she said.
Earlier this month, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group deployed a unit composed of 20 female motorcycle riders, who will give a hand in manning the traffic in Metro Manila's major thoroughfares.
While the PNP is still a male-dominated force that adheres to a 10-percent annual recruitment, training, and education quota for women as stipulated by law, Besas believes that these are positive developments that showcase equal opportunities in the force. She hopes that there will be more steps to women empowerment in the future.
"I believe that those interested in joining the PNP will be more encouraged when they hear about this. They'll see that there is support for women to shine in their chosen field even if it is male-dominated," she added.
