TWO policewomen from the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) went to Malacañang Palace last Tuesday for a courtesy call with President Benigno Aquino III.
SPO1 Ruth Violango of the Homicide Section and Insp. Arieza Otida of the Investigation and Detection Management Branch of the CCPO are among the Ten Most Outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines.
The courtesy call, held in the President’s Social Hall, were participated by other policewomen awardees.
It was an exclusive affair, and aside from the 10 awardees, only Philippine National Police Director Alan Purisima, Police Regional office (PRO) 7 Director Danilo Constantino and three representatives of the Zonta Club of Makati were allowed during the courtesy call.
Violango said that, as a policewoman, she had reached the peak of her career.
“It is an honor that the president appreciate what we do. Niadto mi sa Malacañang, dili kay mosuroy lang, but a program was even made just for us. Such a dream-come-true,” Violango told Sun.Star Cebu.
Memorable
Otida, for her part, said it is very fulfilling and a memorable moment in her ten years of service.
“The PNP are mostly dominated by men, but it is a privilege that, as women, we are given such recognition,” she said in an interview.
Violango and Otida were reportedly told about the courtesy call last May.
Aquino was supposed to be present during their awarding in Camp Crame last January, but did not make it due to prior commitments.
“We thought the awarding was enough. But we were surprised when we were informed about the courtesy call. We did not expect that the president would give us such importance,” Violango added.
Award
On Jan. 23, a trophy, P30,000 cash and a .45 pistol were given to Violango and Otida during the awarding ceremony in Camp Crame.
Endorsed by the PRO 7 last May 2013, Otida and Violango were the only winners in the Visayas.
The ten awardees were picked from 40 candidates nationwide.
Other awardees came from the National Capital Region and Mindanao.
The Top Ten Outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines, which is given annually, is sponsored by the Zonta Club of Makati.