Philippine police force sees record female representation in 2026
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has seen a gradual rise in female representation, with women now making up over a fifth of its workforce. As of February 2026, official figures show 52,223 women serving in various roles across the organisation. PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has highlighted their growing influence during National Women's Month.
Women currently represent 22.08 percent of the PNP's total personnel, which stands at 236,493. Among them, 43,847 hold uniformed positions, 8,098 work as non-uniformed staff, and 278 are cadets. No updated figures have been released on new female recruits since the last official count.
Nartatez has spoken openly about the positive changes female officers bring to the force. Their approach, particularly in sensitive cases, often emphasises empathy and mediation. He described this shift as part of a broader cultural change within the PNP, where capability is no longer tied to gender.
To build on this progress, the PNP chief supports raising the recruitment quota for women to 20 percent. The goal is to create a steady pipeline of female officers ready for leadership roles. Nartatez also advocates making this quota a permanent policy to ensure long-term gender balance in the police force.
The push for a 20 percent quota reflects the PNP's commitment to stronger female representation in its ranks. With women already contributing significantly to operations and leadership, the proposed changes aim to solidify their role in the organisation's future. Updated recruitment figures, however, remain unavailable since early 2026.
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