Female HPG cops on Edsa traffic duties say they’re ready

Female officers of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) say they are ready for traffic duties in Edsa. Photo By Gabriel Pabico Lalu/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Female police officers of the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) have assured that they can handle the various situations that may arise as they perform traffic management tasks in Edsa and in other major roads of Metro Manila.

According to Pat. Marie Claire Tan, a member of HPG’s All-Women Patrollers which was launched on Wednesday, they will use their previous experiences in helping ease traffic flow especially in Edsa.

“Actually matagal na po kaming na-assign dito sa Edsa, ngayon lang po kasi na ‘yong mga babae po ay lumabas nang naka-motorcycle.  Naka-experience na rin po kami ng minumura po, hindi naman po maiiwasan ‘yon sa kalsada po kasi meron po talagang may driver na mainitin ang ulo,” Tan told reporters.

“Minsan po kapag may nae-encounter kami na mga pasaway, lalo na po at hindi talaga maiiwasan, ginagawa na lang po namin nginingitian na lang po namin sila at lagi na lang po nasa mindset ‘yong maximum tolerance po namin as uniformed personnel,” she added.

Pat. Judy Ann Maata on the other hand explained that their skills are at par with their male counterparts, especially on their motorcycle-riding training.

“Pareho lang din ‘yong training, kung ano ‘yong training na ginagawa ng mga lalaki, gano’n din ‘yong ginagawa as mga babae.  Kaya kung may problema man sa kalsada, rerespondehan po namin ‘yan,” she added.

Earlier, HPG chief Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz bared a project to deploy policewomen to help augment traffic enforcers in managing traffic in Edsa.

Cruz said  the non-confrontational approach of women will help in dealing with erring motorists.

“Siguro kung ia-approach sila ng mga matitigas ang ulo na driver, kung babae ang mag-approach sa kanila eh di baka mas luluwag ang kanilang kalooban, mawawala ‘yong pagod nila lalo kung maganda pa ‘yong patrolwomen namin,” he said.

READ: PNP-HPG: Lady cops on motorbikes to help ease traffic

Traffic flow in Metro Manila has worsened over the years.  Data from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that around 386,000 to 402,000 vehicles are in Edsa daily.

According to the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Jica), traffic congestion is costing the country around P3.5 billion worth of lost opportunities per day.

READ: MMDA again blames rising volume of vehicles for worsening Edsa traffic

READ: Jica: Traffic congestion now costs P3.5 billion a day

Tan and Maata stressed that female police officers expect the same level of respect from motorists as given their male counterparts.

“We respect din po ‘yong mga drivers para makuha rin ‘yong respecto na dapat ibinibigay sa amin,” Maata said.

“Ia-approach (namin) sila nang maayos para sabihin sa kanila kung ano po ‘yong maling ginawa nila.  Maximum tolerance pa rin po, para hindi naman din kami mabastos ng mga lalaking driver,” Maata added.

Meanwhile, Maata said the HPG’s move to field female police officers in Edsa is proof that female police officers can perform the same tasks which are given to their male counterparts.

“Hindi naman po, kasi kung ano naman po ‘yong mga trabaho ng personnel po namin na lalaki, gano’n din po ‘yong trabaho naming mga babae,” she said.    /muf