Manila, Feb. 13 -- The rising number of female police officers reflects the significant improvement in the country's law enforcement service formerly dominated by male officials, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said on Thursday.

Marbil said the PNP is now composed of 42,757 female officers serving in various capacities, or 20 percent of more than 200,000 personnel.

"This is a testament to the PNP's commitment to gender equality and professional excellence. No longer are women just part of the PNP-they are driving its transformation," Marbil said in a statement.

Based on existing recruitment rules emphasized by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) in its memorandum issued in 2021, the PNP should ...