Quezon City Hall Detachment Commander, Police Major Rohaina Asalan, on duty at the community precinct in Quezon City on February 22, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — In her 21 years in service, Quezon City Hall detachment commander Police Maj. Rohaina Asalan has witnessed how men and women in uniform are being given equal rights, privileges and deployment regardless of gender.

Asalan, 45 years old and a solo parent to her only child, believes that more women are getting encouraged to join the Philippine National Police now that women cops are treated equally inside the organization.

She said that, in her long stay in the PNP, she has never felt discriminated.

"Sa tingin ko, dumating na tayo sa henerasyon na naging pantay-pantay na din ang tingin nila sa mga babae at lalaki. Although mas marami pa rin talagang kapulisan na babae na naa-assign sa admin work, marami na ring mga kapulisang kababaihan na naa-assign na din sa field," said Asalan.

(I think we have come to a point where men and women are treated equally. Although, there are really more women assigned to administrative duties, there are now more women assigned to field work.)

She added that there is a level playing field for promotions.

"Hindi naman tayo nahirapan sa promotion natin kasi nandiyan naman lahat ng eligibility kaya agad-agad naman tayong na-promote sa kasalukuyan nating ranggo."

(I did not encounter any difficulties when it came to promotions. When I reached eligibility, I was promoted to my current rank right away.)

INCLUSIVITY

Police Maj. Rohaina Asalan, 45, has been in service for 21 years and rose from the ranks to become a detachment commander. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News Despite this, Asalan narrated that the PNP still respects special rights of women police officers, especially in times of maternity.

Asalan said, "sa mga kababaihang pulis na nasa sitwasyon na sila ay buntis, tuloy-tuloy ang pagtatrabaho namin. Kung ano yung trabahong binigay sa amin, tuloy-tuloy lang maliban sa tinatanggal sila sa operational o sa field. So mostly, admin sila."

(Women police who become pregnant are allowed to continue with their work. We do the same work except operational or field work is avoided.)

She narrated that, as a solo parent, she has balanced her obligations to her family and to the country.

"Bilang isang ina, bilang isang single parent at bilang isang hepe, tina-try nating i-balance ang mga obligasyon ko mahirap man, sa lahat ng pagkakataon mahirap pero yun yung talent ng mga kababaihan bilang nasa serbisyo. Nabibigyan pa din namin ng oras ang aming mga anak at nabibigyan din namin ng oras ang aming trabaho. "

(As a mother and single parent, and being a police chief, I try to balance all my obligations, however difficult it is. It is in difficult circumstances in the service where a woman’s talent comes out. We are able to devote equal time to our family and our work.)

A DANGEROUS JOB

Police Major Rohaina Asalan is confident a female police officer like her can achieve the same position as her male colleagues given the same chance to prove their eligibility. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News Asalan recalled her most memorable experience in the line of fire when she was deployed in Cagayan province.

"[N]agkaroon [kami] ng follow-up operation sa isang bundok na walang signal, walang kuryente at napakaliblib na lugar. Doon yung pangyayari na yung aking deputy chief ay nabaril sa area na yun at kailangan naming respondehan at sa alanganing oras ay pinuntahan namin," narrates Ansalan.

(We had to do a follow-up operation in a mountainous area without phone signal or electricity. My deputy chief got shot in an encounter and we had to save him despite the time of day and the difficult situation.)

Despite the danger, she vowed to continue doing what she loves most about her work, which is to serve and protect Filipinos.

"Sa almost 21 years ng service ko, nakita ko na tatapusin ko ang karera ko sa pagiging pulis. Nakikita ko pa rin ang sarili ko na nasa serbisyo pa rin kahit na umabot na sa 56 years old," she said.

(Now in my almost 21 years of service, I have decided to finish my career as a police. I still see myself working in service despite having reached 56-years of age.)

"Laban lang kasi yung ginagawa naman natin hindi para sa sarili lang natin kundi para sa pamilya natin lalong-lalo na sa mga mahal natin sa buhay. Yung sakripisyo para sa mga pamilya at anak natin, ituloy lang natin. Laban lang, kababaihan," Asalan ended.

(Let us give it a good fight, because what we are doing is not just for ourselves but also for our family and loved ones. We continue this sacrifice for our family and children. Fight on, women!)