26 vying for Miss PNP crown

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-six policewomen are vying for the crown as the next Miss Philippine National Police or Ganda Pulis 2018.

The PNP Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) presented the candidates at the formal launch of Ms. PNP #Ganda Pulis 2018 at Camp Crame yesterday.

PCRG director Chief Superintendent Rodel Sermonia said the pageant is part of their efforts to promote advocacies for women's and children’s concerns as well as the recovery and wellness program under Oplan Tokhang, the PNP’s anti-illegal drug campaign credited for the surrender of around 1.3 million drug suspects.

Showcasing the country’s tourist destinations is also part of the program, he said.

“It primarily seeks to provide due recognition to the roles of policewomen as builders of good relationships with the community, which is essential to ensure the success of the recovery and wellness

program of the PNP in its campaign against illegal drugs and other advocacy works,” Sermonia said in a press briefing.

He said the candidate who will win the pageant will represent the PNP as its goodwill ambassadress for promoting the PNP’s advocacy programs.

The candidates who are in their early 20s and 30s represent the 16 police regional offices, five police districts in Metro Manila and five national support units of the PNP, including the Special Action

Force (SAF) and Drug Enforcement Group.

The policewomen from the regions were chosen through pageants of their respective police regional offices while the others were tasked to represent their units.

The winner will succeed Police Officer 1 Arla Ray Pacencia from the Eastern Visayas police and will receive she received P25,000 in cash, P300,000 worth of beauty products and a .45 caliber pistol.

Police Officer 1 Chanda Angel of the SAF said she was asked by her unit to join the pageant to show that police commandos are not just made of up warriors.

“It's my time to expose myself not only in the field but in the public,” she said.

Police Officer 1 Christyl Montero of the Southern Police District said her purpose in joining the contest is to promote awareness of women’s concerns.

The grand finals and coronation night will be held at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center at Camp Crame on April 23.