BACOLOD CITY – Police Lt. Abegael Gabule Donasco is one living proof that women can excel in a profession that is supposedly dominated by men.
The 27-year-old lady cop from Cagayan de Oro is now one of the most familiar faces in the Visayas region’s police force and is being admired for her splendid work as the officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) Public Information Office.
Being a lady though has never been a deterrent for Donasco to be good at what she’s doing. She even says lady cops just like her can be as effective as policemen both in administrative and field works.
Donasco said one advantage policewomen have, specifically the charming ones, is that good-looking lady officers have that distinct edge when it comes to persuading people and conducting covert duties.
“If you’re a charming cop, mas mabilis mo mae-entice ang mga criminals into believing you as long as you are good in deceiving as well,” said Donasco in an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin.
However, it is not all the time that beauteous cops can get the job done.
“One disadvantage ng charming cop is mabilis ma-burnout kasi masyadong pansinin pag maganda kaya hindi din advisable ang maganda masyado to join in covert duties like sa intelligence and operations,” said Donasco.
While they are rarely given field works at night, most policewomen make up for it by being reliable in administrative and paper works as they typically have keen eye for detail.
“Walang inaatrasan when it comes to work and fulfilling duties and responsibilities,” she added.
Despite Donasco’s current success in her field, being in the police service had never crossed her mind.
Growing up, Donasco has a big heart for kids with special needs, and had never imagined becoming a policewoman.
In trying to fulfil what her mother failed to achieve, Donasco took up and completed a degree in Bachelor in Elementary Education Major in Special Education at the University of Science and Technology of the Philippines in 2014. She also passed the board exam on the same year.
“The feeling that your students will thank you when they become professionals is very fulfilling and feels like you have achieved something in your life as well,” she added.
Initially, Donasco’s mother wanted her to follow the footsteps of her brother who is currently the head of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in a municipality in Bukidnon.
Twice, Donasco took and passed the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in 2014 and 2016 as she opted to work as a call center agent in between those years.
Donasco finally entered the academy in 2016 where she later on developed her faith both in herself and in God.
“It was a grim struggle of winning supremacy against oneself. I only had God to rely on and myself to trust," she said, adding that she learned discipline and obedience to her seniors while she was on training.
After four years, she surpassed the challenges and graduated at the PNPA with a degree of Bachelor in Science in Public Safety in 2020.
Her first assignment was at Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 in Iloilo City on that year. She was then re-assigned to Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here, where she is currently designated as officer-in-charge public information officer.
As she embraced her present career, Donasco noted several changes in her life when she became a policewoman.
“I would say it was one of the best decisions that I have made na naging police and teacher na ako. I can be in the best of both worlds and I have the same goal which is to serve people, but for now, I have to serve the public,” she said.
Meanwhile, Donasco advised cop aspirants to never stop chasing for their dreams of becoming police officers.
“They just have to believe that being a police is not a job but rather a calling,” she said.