PRO NIR trains 50 officers on women, children cases

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) opened a 17-day specialized course on Sept. 3, 2026, to strengthen the investigative skills and victim-centered response of police officers handling crimes involving women and children.

The Specialized Course on Investigation of Crimes Involving Women and Children for PNP-WCPD Officers, identified as CL-02-058-NIR-2026-029, is being held at Kanlaon Hall, Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City.

The training brings together 50 personnel from the Bacolod City Police Office, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, and Siquijor Police Provincial Office.

The program aims to improve how Women and Children Protection Desk personnel investigate cases, deal with victims, and apply procedures that help ensure women and children seeking police assistance receive timely, lawful, and sensitive responses.

The opening ceremony was led by PCOL Lito E. Patay, deputy regional director for operations, together with PCOL Sandy S. Vales, chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division; PLTCOL Gaylord P. Tamayo, assistant chief of the Regional Education and Training Division; PLT Rodel A. Hernandez, administrative officer of the Regional Special Training Unit; and PCPT Wilma E. Silva, chief of the Regional Women and Children Protection Section.

PRO NIR said the course is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and competence of WCPD personnel in investigating and properly handling crimes involving women and children.

It also seeks to strengthen officers’ ability to respond to victims with professionalism, sensitivity, and respect while ensuring that every case is handled appropriately and in accordance with the law.

Throughout the 17-day course, participants will tackle gender and diversity, violence against women, violence against children, children in conflict with the law, rules of criminal procedure, and gender-based violence in emergency situations.

PRO NIR said the subjects are intended to deepen participants’ understanding of different forms of violence and the challenges faced by women and children.

The training also seeks to strengthen officers’ ability to respond appropriately to cases requiring sensitivity, immediate action, and sound investigative judgment.

Beyond technical knowledge, the regional police office said the course emphasizes putting victims at the center of police service.

PRO NIR said equipping WCPD officers with the right knowledge and skills is intended to ensure that women and children seeking police assistance receive a response that is professional, lawful, compassionate, and protective.

“Our responsibility does not end with responding to a report. We must ensure that every woman and child who seeks police assistance feels heard, protected, and treated with dignity. This training will further equip our WCPD personnel to handle these cases with competence, sensitivity, and commitment, because every victim deserves a police response that is both effective and humane,” PBGEN Romano V. Cardiño said.

PRO NIR said the specialized course reflects its continuing commitment to building a more capable, responsive, and compassionate police force, particularly in protecting women and children from violence and abuse.

The regional police office said sustained training and professional development are intended to strengthen WCPD personnel’s ability to deliver timely, effective, and victim-centered police service.

PRO NIR said the initiative also advances its commitment to provide what it calls “Seen, Appreciated, Felt, and Extraordinary Police Service,” where every woman and child who seeks assistance is heard, protected, and treated with dignity and respect.