Manila, March 23 -- Abra Lone District Rep. JB Bernos on Monday called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to also focus on enhancing the training of male police officers so they could better respond to cases of violence against women and children (VAWC).

The vice chairperson of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety made the call after the PNP moved to deploy more women officers in barangays amid rising VAWC cases.

"I believe that deploying more women officers is a good step. But for the long-term, I hope the PNP continues to enhance its gender-sensitivity and humanistic trainings so that even male cops can better respond not only to cases of abuse and violence against women and children, but to all cases," Bernos said in a...