TL;DR: Here's why Igorota Lieutenant Colonel Kimberly Esteban Molitas is one of the most influential women in the Philippines right now.
- Igorota Lieutenant Colonel Kimberly Esteban Molitas is the spokesperson and Chief Public Information Officer of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in the Philippines.
- She graduated from the 220-strong "Magilas" Class of 2000 and served in the Philippine National Police for 20 years in various capacities, and also served abroad with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.
- Molitas became the first Philippine policewoman to complete a Fulbright scholarship as a Hubert Humphrey Fellow at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
- Holds a master's degree in Transnational Crime Prevention, has a bachelor's degree in Nursing and Public Safety, and earned a Leadership Development certificate from the International Law Enforcement Academy in Thailand.
- She has also received the Outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines and Distinguished Service Medal award.
- Her goal is to empower female police officers throughout Asia.
"Coming from a country where most think that the Igorots like me are uneducated, I told myself I should be an example or inspiration for the younger Igorots to excel," - Kimberly E. Molitas
Lieutenant Colonel Kimberly Esteban Molitas is the spokesperson and Chief Public Information Officer of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in the Philippines. She was one of the graduates of the Philippine National Police "Magilas" class of 2000.
Her father, Cesar Molitas, is also a former policeman and current mayor of Kibungan, Benguet.
Perhaps it was from her father that Kimberly got her enthusiasm to enlist and serve in the Philippine National Police for more than 20 years in various capacities, and also served abroad with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.
The Igorota also trained in the PNP Special Action Force "to enhance her combat skills and to develop a special kind of discipline."
In 2015, she became the first Philippine policewoman to complete a Fulbright scholarship as a Hubert Humphrey Fellow at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs. She holds a master's degree in Transnational Crime Prevention, has a bachelor's degree in Nursing and Public Safety, and earned a Leadership Development certificate from the International Law Enforcement Academy in Thailand.
She is also a resource person of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship in the United States and has spoken at various forums on cybercrime, human trafficking, and crimes against women and children.
Molitas also trained with the Australian School of Security and Investigation on advanced surveillance and investigation.
Molitas was the youngest to be named among the Ten Outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines at 25 years old and also earned the Distinguished Service Medal award from the Philippine Defense Secretary.
She was listed at one time as one of the "12 emerging leaders of Asia" by Asia Foundation, from among 650 entries coming from 53 countries.
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