The Philippine National Police (PNP) is open to the proposal to double the recruitment quota for women from the current 10 percent, citing their growing leadership role and critical contributions to peace and order.

Several bills have been filed in the Senate and House of Representatives, seeking to increase the recruitment quota for women in the PNP to boost gender representation and strengthen the role of female officers in law enforcement

In a news release on Sunday, the PNP said more women are taking on key roles and actively contributing to the organization.

As of February 2026, PNP data showed that women comprise 52,223 of the total 236,493 personnel, or 22.08 percent of the total force — 43,847 uniformed personnel, 8,098 non-uniformed staff and 278 cadets.

“I am immensely proud. This is not just a number but proof of our evolving culture,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

“Sa PNP, hindi gender ang batayan ng kakayahan, ang serbisyo at dedikasyon ang mahalaga (In the PNP, gender is not the basis of ability. Service and dedication are more important).”

As such, the PNP chief is now pushing for the permanent adoption of a 20 percent recruitment quota for women to ensure a steady pipeline of female talents capable of taking on high-level commands.

“Female police officers bring a unique perspective to the field, often prioritizing empathy and mediation. They excel in handling sensitive cases to make people in the community feel that their voices are heard and feel safer,” Nartatez said.

This, he said, is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to promote gender-responsive governance and strengthen the role of women in public service.

“We have shattered the glass ceiling. From field operations to high-level commands, binibigyan natin sila ng pantay na pagkakataon (we gave them the opportunity). We have female generals and provincial directors leading with excellence because we value competence above all else,” Nartatez said. (PNA)