Since time immemorial, women have significantly contributed to the development of Philippine society. They have been very instrumental in nation-building, in different fields of study, and even in law enforcement and national security. The country has also gone far in acknowledging the rights of women in society and in promoting gender equality and women empowerment.
In 2018, Project O.W.L.E.N.S. Philippines was born. It is a project of Republic Defenders, a Security and Exchange Commission-registered non-profit and volunteer organization. Republic Defenders, in partnership with San Miquel Corporation scrupulously facilitates a nationwide search for exceptional and outstanding Filipino women in the field of Law Enforcement and National Security.
Project OWLENS is dedicated to giving due credit and appreciation to every woman in the country who significantly takes part and has displayed outstanding and meritorious accomplishments in the field of law enforcement and national security. Since its inception in 2018, the program continues its purpose, annually searching for exceptional Filipino women in law enforcement and national security from all parts of the archipelago. The awardees were chosen through several screenings and go through selection stages, from being nominees of different agencies mandated to enforce the laws of the land and in defending the motherland.
Nine days prior to the advent of April, on March 22, 2023, ten other women were added to the country’s roster of Outstanding Women in Law Enforcement and National Security. Among the awardees were Police Lieutenant Colonel Rogelyn Peratero of Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office and Police Staff Sergeant Idy Ann Flor Aca-Ac of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 10.
PLtCol Rogelyn Peratero is the present Chief of Provincial Community Affairs and Development, and Family Juvenile Gender Advocacy Office, in the Camarines Norte PPO. She successfully spearheaded the implementation of various sustainable community initiatives in her area of responsibility. Among them are: Project B.U.K.A.L.; the establishment of the Indigenous People’s Desk; the implementation of Project A.K.A.P. and Project HUNTAHAN to fully strengthen multi-agency collaboration to deliver various government services.
While PSSg Idy Ann Flor Aca-ac is a registered nurse and a dedicated Investigator assigned at the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 10 in Cagayan De Oro City, she became instrumental in apprehending local and foreign nationals who have violated the Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children (OSAEC) laws; and in rescuing countless victims—majority are minors, from being trafficked, exploited, and molested. Her notable accomplishments include the successful rescue operations of a number of minors who were OSAEC victims which cost her the heartbreaking loss of her unborn child. She also risked her life in resolutely assisting a pregnant woman who was supposedly bound for a caesarian section but had an untimely delivery while aboard a barge off to Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental during the early months of the CoVID-19 pandemic. Aca-ac also acts as the Vice Chairman for External Affairs of the Triskelion Law Enforcement Group—Cagayan De Oro City, and was a volunteer PNP medical personnel during the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan National CoVID-19” vaccination days.
Other awardees were Brigadier General Fatima Claire Navarro of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Dr. Cynthia Saloma of the University of the Philippines (UP) Genome Center; Lieutenant Commander Lady Chatterly Alvaro-Sumbeling, Captain Marissa Arlene Martinez, and Major Beryl Charity Bacolcol of the Philippine Navy (PN), AFP; Anna Lira Reyes of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI); Colonel Ma. Christina Basco and Major Leah Joy Lopez of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), AFP.
The awarding coincided with the celebration of the 2023 National Women’s Month wherein, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., himself, personally conferred the awards to the 2023 Ten Outstanding Women in Law Enforcement and National Security (OWLENS) in the Philippines at the President’s Hall in Malacañan Palace.
President Marcos however highlighted the need for the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) to commence updating the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security — a milestone achievement of the country, claiming that the Philippines is the first in Asia to formulate a comprehensive action plan to improve the role and status of women in the security sector.
“We all salute your efforts. It is high time that these contributions are recognized and valued. You have certainly broken gender stereotypes, and you have shown young girls across the country that they can excel even in male-dominated professions,” said President Marcos.
“This administration shall continue to implement concrete and comprehensive measures to increase women’s representation in the security sector and government service towards creating a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable society,” he added.
