By Roy Mabasa
More than 25 service members from the United States Army and United States Marine Corps and officers from the Philippine National Police Regional Mobile Force Battalion Region 9 (PNP RMFB9) have participated in a seminar aimed to empower women law enforcers who protect and educate the communities they serve.
The three-day Women in Law Enforcement Symposium was held at Camp Colonel Romeo A. Abendan, Mercedes, Zamboanga City from September 10-12.
The modules and discussion focused on topics including combating violence against women and children, preventing extremist recruitment of women on social media, promoting responsible parenthood and reproductive health, and countering human trafficking.
"Women who work together can transform societies. Working together, women can ensure that discrimination, inequality, and depreciation no longer define women, and terrorism and violent extremism do not take root," said Patrolwoman Jessa Gonzales of the PNP RMFB9.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mary Soliva said they are equipping the PNP female members with skills to enhance their operational capability and creating an opportunity to discuss topics at the micro and macro levels.
“Their tireless effort and devotion to duty makes them a great asset to the Philippines, and a strong partner to the U.S.,” Soliva said
As a longstanding friend, partner, and ally of the Philippines, the United States continues to provide support to Philippine security forces to include subject matter expert exchanges on preventing and countering violent extremism.