PNP-HPG deploys women cops on EDSA

The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) has deployed more than women cops along EDSA to assist in managing vehicular traffic as well as to prevent road crimes.

Police Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz, chief of the PNP-HPG, told reporters that a total of 48 policewomen had finished a motorcycle riding course in 2018.

"We are deploying police women riders of the Highway Patrol Group dito sa kahabaan ng EDSA kasi mayroon tayong natrain na 48 policewomen sa motorcycle riding course so ginagamit lamang natin 'yung training nila sa motorsiklo lalo pa ngayon we are maximizing our presence to all the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila and even other regions," Cruz said.

"Ngayon dito sa EDSA meron tayong more than 20 na policewomen na dinedeploy..." he added.

The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 deploys more than 20 policewomen along EDSA to assist in managing vehicular traffic as well as to prevent road crimes. Police Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, PNP-HPG chief, told reporters that a total of 48 policewomen had finished a motorcycle riding course in 2018. Anna Felicia Bajo

According to Cruz, the training was conducted for 45 days in which police officers are being trained about safe and tactical riding so that they can contribute in managing heavy traffic congestion and responding to crime incidents such as kidnapping and robbery.

Cruz assured the public that women cops could respond to any kind of crime situations, adding that they will be on duty for 20 hours. The first shift starts from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. while the second shift begins from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.

"Dapat ready sila magrespond sa kahit anong crime situation kasi pulis kami, babae man o lalaki, kaya nga ito 'yung tinatawag na gender equality or women empowerment..." Cruz said.

"Sabi ko nga, gender equality. Kung anong ginagawa ng lalaki, dapat ginagawa ng babae... kung nakakapagcontribute kami sa crime prevention sa responding to any crime incidents especially kidnapping, highway robbery, malaki ang naitutulong namin sa pagluwag ng daloy ng trapiko sa EDSA, kailangan talaga nasa labas kami ng lansangan..." he added.

Asked what would be the difference if policewomen will be deployed in major roads, Cruz said: "Siguro, kung aapproach sila ng babae, kung babae ang magaapproach sa kanila, mas luluwag ang kanilang kalooban, mawawala ang pagod nila..."

Cruz also said the policewomen would be accompanied by male HPG personnel who were "deputized," or those who can issue tickets to violators on the road.

"Meron silang mga ka-buddy, kasama ng mga lalaking deputized... hindi sila pawawalan on their own kasi di pa sila makakahuli or makakaissue ng ticket," Cruz said.

Just last week, the PNP-HPG announced that it would maximize its presence along EDSA. — RSJ, GMA News