Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Sarah Elago on Thursday, August 27, urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to review its policy on cases of violence against women and their children (VAWC) involving police personnel, stressing that such incidents should not be treated as ordinary marital disputes.
Elago raised the issue during the House Committee on Appropriations’ budget briefing and hearings on the proposed 2027 budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
She questioned DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla over an existing PNP policy that allows reconciliation efforts, including discussions or marriage counseling, between a VAWC victim and a police officer who is allegedly involved in the case.
“Pagdating naman po sa PNP-related na VAWC, naglabas po kayo ng policy on addressing VAWC among PNP personnel. Ngunit nakita po namin dito sa inyong policy na pinapayagan nyo na magkaroon ng pag-uusap, marriage counseling doon sa VAWC victim at sa kanyang asawa na PNP personnel. Ito pa rin po ba yung policy ngayon ng PNP?” Elago asked.
Remulla confirmed that the policy remains in effect but said reconciliation efforts have limitations and require the agreement of both parties.
“It is an existing policy, ma'am, that we try to reconcile the differences within the department. But, of course, it has its limits,” Remulla said.
Elago, however, stressed that VAWC is a criminal offense under Philippine law and should not be treated merely as a private dispute between spouses, particularly when the alleged perpetrator is a police officer.
“Ang violence against women and their children ay isang krimen sa ating mga batas. Hindi po ito simpleng away lang ng mag-asawa, na pribado, kahit pa po involved ang PNP personnel,” Elago said.
She further called on the PNP to change the policy, particularly in cases involving physical abuse, arguing that reconciliation should not be used in situations covered by the Anti-VAWC law.
“Dapat niyo pong baguhin itong policy na ito kasi sa ilalim po ng anti-VAWC law, bawal po ang pag-aareglo. Lalong-lalo na po dun sa mga kaso po ng physical abuse. Hindi po dapat ito pinapayagan,” Elago said.
In response, Remulla assured lawmakers that the DILG takes allegations of harassment and violence involving police personnel seriously, regardless of rank or position.
He cited the case of the provincial director of Batangas, who he said was relieved of duty following an alleged act of harassment involving a fellow policewoman.
“The provincial director of Batangas was relieved of duty and about to be relieved from service by a simple text message alone to a fellow policewoman. We take it very seriously, ma'am, that if there is harassment among the ranks, that we will file the appropriate charges, whoever they may be,” Remulla said.
The DILG secretary also said complaints involving harassment of women personnel in the PNP are treated seriously and pursued through appropriate legal processes.
“If there is any complaint against harassment of women personnel in the PNP, I take it very seriously and I prosecute it to the best of my ability,” Remulla said.
Elago reiterated that VAWC cases should be handled in accordance with the Anti-VAWC law and that PNP personnel should also be held to the same legal standards.
Remulla acknowledged the concern and committed to reviewing the policy.
“We will, duly noted ma'am and we will make the necessary adjustments,” he said.
The exchange came amid discussions on strengthening accountability and internal policies within the PNP, particularly in addressing complaints of violence and harassment involving its personnel.
