Cotabato City dads Confirm appointment of female cop director

                                                 P/Col. Portia Manala

COTABATO CITY --- The Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) confirmed here last August 28 the appointment of Col. Portia Manalad, making her the city’s first full-fledged female police director.

Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi lauded the members of the legislative body for allowing Manalad to prove her worth as a police official.

Since May 27, Manalad has been acting as officer-in-charge, replacing Col. Michael Lebanan as head of this city's 300-strong police office.

Manalad herself made history after becoming the first and lone woman to graduate from the Philippine National Police Academy in 1995.

Following Manalad’s confirmation, the mayor appealed to all victims of crime against persons, to come forward and file appropriate charges against crime suspects arrested by the Cotabato City Police Office.

She said in most cases, victims of violence in the city refuse to cooperate with the police in filing charges.

“Some have filed the complaint but eventually withdraw,” the mayor said.'

Sayadi said the prosecution would not prosper if the victims or their relatives do not pursue the case against the offenders. (Edwin Fernandez, PNA - Cotabato) (EDWIN FERNANDEZ, PNA – COTABATO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)