The newly-created “Mariang Police” in Maria, Siquijor has received a warm welcome as well as support and cooperation from the community despite it being an all-women police station.
Capt. Josefina Lacpao Lacandula, officer-in-charge, police chief of Maria town, in a telephone interview on Tuesday, her first day at work, said all is well with the station personnel in the first 10 days since “Mariang Police” was officially established last September 14.
Lacandula assumed post as OIC after Capt. Judith Besas, who was named as police chief of Maria during the launching led by the Police Regional Office 7 director Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, went on leave.
“We can also do what our male police counterparts did or can do,” she pointed out.
The “Mariang Police”, comprising 23 policewomen, is the first in the region and as Sinas earlier said, “it was appropriately established in Maria, not just because of the town’s female name but because it has a low crime rate.”
Although unable to give a specific crime rate at this time, Lacandula said they usually respond to petty crimes, like theft, “and the situation is very manageable”.
The town’s acting police chief, however, stressed the importance of police visibility because Maria is a tourist destination, due to the famous Salagdoong Beach Resort.
“We also help in the implementation of the town’s local ordinances such as on anti-smoking in public places and in anti-single plastic use,” she said.
Maria town has a population of 14,995 and is composed of 22 barangays, according to Lacandula.
It is situated between the towns of Lazi and Enrique Villanueva.
In the event of bigger crime incidents, Lacandula said they could always call their male counterparts in the police stations of neighboring towns for force augmentation. Also, they could ask help from the barangay tanod (village watchmen) and Barangay Intelligence Network.
Meanwhile, she thanked the local officials of Maria, headed by Mayor Meynard Asok and his wife, Board Member Rose Asok, for putting their trust and giving their support to the all-women police force. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
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