PNP drafts rules on womens’ protection

MANILA, Philippines — Following the signing into law of the Magna Carta of Women by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Philippine National Police is set to meet with other stakeholders to draft the implementing rules to support the law, an official said on Friday.

Chief Superintendent Yolanda Tanigue, head of the PNP’s Women’s and Children’s Protection Center, said during a forum that the PNP and human rights groups are set to meet soon to draft the implementing rules and regulations for the new law.

Tanigue welcomed the passage of the Republic Act 9710, saying it took them 10 years to push for stronger laws to protect women.

“This will protect them from all forms of harassment, not just domestic violence,” she added.

The current law that protects women is Republic Act 9262 or the Women’s and Children’s Protection Act.

But this law concentrates only on domestic violence against women and children.

With the Magna Carta of Women, Filipinas will be protected from all kinds of harassment and discrimination, including those in the workplace.

According to PNP data, an average of five to 10 complaints are received daily by its

PNP has 1,830 women’s protection desks nationwide receiving a daily average of five to 10 complaints. These women’s desks are manned by more than 2,700 investigators, most of whom are policewomen.

Most of the complaints involve physical and psychological trauma, said Tanigue. –Abigail Kwok, INQUIRER.net