Gamboa says policewomen less prone to bribes

MANILA, Philippines — Policewomen should be given the chance to hold sensitive positions in the Philippine National Police (PNP), as they are less likely to get involved in corruption unlike their male counterparts, PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said on Monday.

Asked what makes policewomen different from their male counterparts, Gamboa said women are less susceptible to corruption.

“Sinasabi nila mahirap i-bribe ang babae (They say women are hard to bribe),” he said in an interview with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News.

But he clarified he did not mean to insinuate that policemen were prone to corruption. He said it only appears that women are more difficult to bribe. Females comprise only about 10 percent of the 191,000-strong police force.

He also said that based on his observation, women are more meticulous and diligent in their work than men, who tend to be sloppy.

Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, acting director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), bared his plan to replicate in Metro Manila the tack he used in his previous provincial command of empowering policewomen by appointing them as police chiefs in their communities.

Sinas appointed female officers to major posts in Central Visayas when he was the police regional director. Among them are Cebu City police director Col. Gemma Vinluan and Siquijor police chief Col. Angela Rejano.

Gamboa said he fully supports Sinas’ plans for Metro Manila. “If you want to empower policewomen, that’s fine with me but at the end of the day you are answerable,” he said, addressing Sinas.

Gamboa also said he wants all police officers and personnel subjected to lifestyle check, not only the candidates for the top PNP post.

“Not only the candidates. Let’s subject all policemen to a lifestyle check,” he said.

He earlier said it’s up to President Duterte to order a lifestyle check on him, being one of three contenders for the position of PNP chief.

The two others are Lt. Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan and chief of directorial staff Maj. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar. The two have also expressed readiness to undergo lifestyle check.

As police officers, Gamboa said they should have simple lifestyle and not wear expensive jewelry in public.

He said some police officers and personnel may have been drawn to lavish lifestyle due to higher salaries granted by Duterte.