Abra: Lone District Rep. JB Bernos has urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to focus on enhancing the training of male police officers to improve their response to cases of violence against women and children (VAWC). The vice chairperson of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety emphasized the importance of gender-sensitivity and humanistic training for all police officers.

According to Philippines News Agency, Bernos's call comes in the wake of the PNP's decision to deploy more women officers in barangays as a response to the increasing number of VAWC cases. While Bernos supports the deployment of more women officers, he stressed that long-term improvements require that male officers also receive training to handle such cases effectively.

Bernos stated that empathy should accompany the pursuit of justice and law enforcement, highlighting the need for increased sensitivity training to help the police overcome negative perceptions associated with some of its members. He believes that improved public perception of the police will encourage more individuals to seek police assistance.

The PNP, citing data from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, reported that Unified 911, the country's emergency hotline, received over 5,000 VAWC-related calls in 2025. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has expressed that the deployment of more policewomen is aimed at adopting a more empathetic approach when handling sensitive cases.