Police Brig. General Maria Asuncion Placino is the first lady police general in Quezon province and the whole of Calabarzon region. Here is her interesting life story.
LUCBAN, QUEZON -- Maria Asuncion Placino is destined to be a policewoman, and apparently the first policewoman general in Quezon province and in Calabarzon region.
Being from a family of police and military officers, and married to a PNP Colonel, she took her first assignment in the Health Service of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Her skill in firing was honed during the time of General Alexander Aguirre as PNP chief.
Police Brigadier General Maria Asuncion Placino headed the Directorate for Police Operations in Southern Luzon, with authority over MIMAROPA, CALABARZON and the Bicol region for almost two years before she retired in 2020.
Years ago, Placino said, policewomen were relegated to administrative office and desk duties.
“Stereotype ang mga babae noon. I find it quite boring. I was assigned in the Community Relations at na-enjoy ko talaga ang trabaho ko doon. I met people from all walks of life,” the general said in an exclusive interview with Opinyon Quezonin at her home.
“Today we see them side by side with the men in dangerous police operations,” she said. “Where before we were only at the receiving end of commands, today we also see women officers giving commands to male subordinates,” she said adding, “Sa Magna Carta 9710, sinasabi na 50-50 ang chance para sa mga babae at lalaki at sa Gender Development Program ay humihingi din ng equality. Pero sa akin, let’s start with the word ‘equity’.”
Placino stressed the difficulty of asking for a 50-50 chance for women cops in the hierarchy and just asked for 2 slices of the symbolic 8-slice-pie.
“Doon tayo magsimula. Patutunayan naming mga kababaihan na kaya rin naming gawin ang kaya ng mga kalalakihan. Tiwala sa sarili ang kailangan,” Placino said as she stressed on working with excellence.
Victory for women
The 54-year-old License Nutritionist Dietitian made history by becoming the first female police officer to wear one-star on her shoulders in the Province of Quezon. She was conferred the brigadier general rank by PNP Chief Oscar David Albayalde. She was awarded as Officer of the Year in 1995, 10 Outstanding Women of the Philippines in 2010 and UN Outstanding Rating Performance.
“This is a victory for the women in the uniformed service,” Placino told Opinyon.
“We all know that in the past it was unthinkable for a woman to hold a key position in a world dominated by men. But as the PNP moves in step with the times, policewomen are now emerging as key players, as Peacekeeper and Law Enforcer,” she added.
Although she had never experienced actual combat operations, Placino said police officers with technical expertise in investigation are equally important as lawmen chasing and shooting it out with criminals.
Peacekeeper
Maria Asuncion was assigned as a United Nations peacekeeper in Haiti. She assumed the responsibility for three years protecting civilians, actively preventing conflicts and reducing the violence among the people of Haiti.
Placino revealed that she was the only woman among the hundreds of Peacekeepers in different countries. The UN Commander from Canada even offered his own accommodation to her.
“I said No. Ayaw ko ng special treatment dahil sa aking kasarian. Kung ano ang bitbit ng mga lalaki ganon din ako. I was assigned to a remote place. Lahat ng bundok sa Haiti ay naakyat ko na bitbit ang aking backpack, kevlar, bullet proof vest, at 24/ 7 dala-dala ko ang baril,” she said recalling her experiences.
She was also assigned as a Peace-keeper in Mindanao. As a team leader she met several commanders of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and eventually became friends with some of them.
“Pabalik-balik ako sa kampo ng MILF for two years. Kasama ko pag-akyat sa kanilang kampo ay Imam, driver at cameraman. Baon-baon ko ang sinseridad at maging instrumento sa pagkakaroon ng kapayapaan sa Mindanao,” she said adding they came back to Mindanao armed with 20 boxes of donations for the MILF. The commander of Kampo Karapanal now serves in the government, the Bangsamoro transition committee.
Placino treasures her time in Haiti and Mindanao. She also championed the anti-insurgency program called End Local Communist Armed Conflict and worked with Quezon 1st district Board Member Alona Obispo to support women in conflict areas.
Sacrifices
To work and to serve the PNP was my priority, Placino said stressing that being a woman in the police service was challenging.
“We have dual responsibilities, one in the home and one in the office,” she said.
“Nasasakripisyo ang pamilya lalong-lalo na ang nag-iisa kong anak na lalaki.”
Placino, widowed for a long time, recalled that she left early on his son’s graduation because of police duty.
“I have no choice dahil trabaho ko ito. Lalo na kapag holidays, we’re always on red alert. The general smiled saying that despite lack of time, she was able to raise her son well.
33 years of service
As a retired brigadier general, in the 33 years of service in the PNP, she was deprived of sleep. She woke up at 3:30 in the morning to avoid the traffic jam and came home at 8 pm.
“Ngayon, nai-enjoy ko talaga ang matulog. I wake up around 8:30 to 9 o’clock. Nai-enjoy ko ang nature at ganda at abot tanaw na Bundok Banahaw mula dito sa aming bahay,” said Placino, visibly pleased and feeling well-rested now in her retirement.
She told the news team that she is a certified Plantita.
“Proud ako na marami akong halaman. I have rosemary, basil and organic vegetables,” she said adding she actually loves flowers and made her garden look so colorful.
As a mother, the retired general has a lot of time to take good care of his son, now 25 and soon to be a pilot.
“Marami kaming na-miss na bonding moments noon. Ngayon, gustong-gusto ko na kasama ko ang aking anak sa pamamasyal,” Placino said.
Placino was not able to explore the beauty of the countries she visited because it was all work for her. When the situation gets back to normal, after the Covid-19 pandemic, she plans to travel with her son.
Asked if she has any plans for public service after retirement, like running for public office, she just smiled and hinted that there is life in public service even after retirement.
“Kahit saan pwede ako. Tapang para sa bayan. Do your best. You have a purpose. Inspirasyon ang anak at pamilya. God, work, dedication,” the police woman general intoned almost like a mantra.#