CHR: Limiting PNP women recruits to 10% has no basis

A policewoman is assigned to checkpoint duty in this file photo taken in Olongapo City on Feb. 9, 2016. The presence of policewomen at checkpoints, according to a member of the team, could “tone down the uptight mood.” INQUIRER FILE / ALLAN MACATUNO

The proposal of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to keep its threshold for female recruits to 10 percent has no legal basis, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Thursday.

CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia issued the statement after PNP chief Oscar Albayalde rejected a proposal to increase their female recruits, claiming that the existing 10 percent limit was enough because women have certain limitations considering that they bear children and can avail of maternity leaves.

“The CHR as Gender Ombud reminds the PNP of the unequivocal provisions of the MCW (Magna Carta of Women) on the incremental increase in the hiring women police officers tasked to address violence against women (VAW),” De Guia said in a statement.

Citing Section 9(a) of MCW, CHR insisted that the PNP, together with other allied services, is mandated to increase women recruits to reach 50 percent five years from the passage of MCW.

The magna carta specified recruitment in “services availed of by women who are victims of gender-related offenses.”

Section 9(a), Chapter IV of the MCW reads: “Within the next five (5) years, there shall be an incremental increase in the recruitment and training of women in the police force, forensics and medico-legal, legal services, and social work services availed of by women who are victims of gender-related offenses until fifty percent (50%) of the personnel thereof shall be women.”

Meanwhile, Albayalde cited Section 58, Title VII of Republic Act 8551, which he said mandated the reservation of 10 percent of its annual recruitment to women, “who shall serve in the women’s desk.”

Enacted in 2009, MCW is a comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination through the recognition, protection, fulfilment and promotion of the rights of Filipino women, especially those belonging in the marginalized sectors of the society.

It conveys a framework of rights for women based directly on international law.

“It is MCWs 10th anniversary next year, the 10% limit finds no support and basis,” De Guia stressed.

CHR also said that justifying such limit on women’s pregnancy and extended maternity leaves “goes against the spirit and intent of the MCW in prohibiting all forms of discrimination against women and of the maternity leave law in recognizing women’s gender specific needs.” /cbb