In a groundbreaking move toward modernizing law enforcement and promoting inclusivity, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) led by Police Brigadier General Anthony A. Aberin, Acting Regional Director, is set to deploy its first-ever all-women Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, Desk Officers, and Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) unit. Said initiative was formally announced during the NCRPO’s National Women’s Month Celebration Kickoff Ceremony on March 3, 2023, where members of the NCRPO’s first-ever all-women Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, Desk Officers, and Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) unit were presented. Such a historic move solidifies the equally important role of women in Philippine law enforcement, whether it is in critical tactical, operational, and community engagement aspects.
During the presentation, PBGen Aberin emphasized that such a move goes beyond breaking barriers an innovation which is specifically aimed at strengthening police capabilities, fostering public trust, and ensuring that every officer, regardless of gender, is empowered to serve effectively.
“This is a decisive… step integrating women into these roles; … equipping them to be leaders in the field. Their participation is essential in making our police force more strategic, responsive, and community-oriented,” Aberin said.
The initiative is aligned with Chief, PNP Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil’s priorities in modernizing PNP and likewise in consonance with the NCRPO’s ‘AAA’ policing philosophy: Able, Active, and Allied—ensuring that law enforcement remains skilled, proactive, and community-driven; and maximizing its deployment of personnel with a more balanced and efficient distribution of duties across the force.
For the first time, female police officers will join Metro Manila’s elite SWAT unit, an area of law enforcement traditionally dominated by men. Select officers will undergo high-level training in counterterrorism, hostage rescue, tactical firearms handling, and rapid assault operations.
NCRPO will conduct intensive SWAT training across the five police districts for female officers to develop exceptional discipline, endurance, and tactical acumen. Rigorous assessments will test their capabilities and resilience, proving that operational excellence knows no gender.
By launching this initiative, NCRPO is expanding opportunities for female officers, reinforcing its commitment to an adaptive, inclusive, and high-performing police force.
Female Desk Officers will be deployed across police stations to improve accessibility, sensitivity, and trust in law enforcement. Studies show that the presence of women in frontline services leads to higher crime reporting rates, particularly for cases involving abuse, harassment, and domestic violence.
This initiative will encourage victims to step forward, knowing that there will be sympathetic ears to listen to their woes coupled with compassion and professionalism.
An all-women Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) Unit was created. For this female officers of NCRPO had undergone extensive CDM training, focusing on ccrow-control strategies, negotiation techniques, and conflict de-escalation methods, to equip officers in managing public assemblies while prioritizing safety and human rights.
The launching of these all-women police units marks a transformative shift in Philippine policing, setting a new standard for inclusivity, operational excellence, and law enforcement leadership.
