The Head of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) SOCCSKSARGEN (Region 12) was invited by the Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 as the Guest of Honor and Speaker for the Kick-off Ceremony to celebrate the National Women’s Month.

On March 09, 2020, Veronica C. Hatague, Acting Regional Director of NAPOLCOM Region 12, took the podium and addressed the topics on gender, empowerment and family in front of the police officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, and the non-uniformed personnel of PRO 12.

Instead of the typical and recurring pointers on the applicable policy guidelines of Gender and Development, Ms. Hatague chose to talk about gender by, firstly, recognizing the existence and involvement of women in the society. With poise and conviction, she asked the audience to take a look around and determine which has not been touched and graced by a woman.

The Acting Regional Director seized the moment to let the men of the police force in SOCCSKSARGEN be grateful to their mothers and wives for the contributions of these women in their career, duties and obligations. The policemen were encouraged to acknowledge what the women could give more than just their biological make up; to focus on what women could do rather than the otherwise.

In her speech on gender in general, the police officers throughout the region were reminded of the gender inclusivity and essence in celebrating the National Women’s Month. Ms. Hatague emphasized that the Constitution has justly provided for the rights of every citizen—in like manner that every human were created equally; by “every,” she meant all genders.

Most importantly, especially on policing, Ms. Hatague hinted that it is vital for the police to imbue the underlying values and principles embedded in the gender-laws that must be enforced. She then urged the police officers to empower the public by giving them the appropriate means to understand that gender-related crimes and rape, among others, are crimes punishable by any applicable law of the land—and not as  an excuse to disrespect no to objectify any gender, most especially the women and children.

Lastly, the matriarch of NAPOLCOM Region 12 firmly believed that the families play the crucial roles in shaping a gender-prejudiced society–that inculcation of values and perspectives on gender start within them.