Benguet outstanding leader awardee, Col. Kimberly Molitas,has assumed as officer-in-charge director of the Zamboanga City Police Office, making her the first woman to lead the law enforcement office in the city.
Molitas, a Kankana-ey of Kibungan, Benguet, assumption to officeon March 11 was presided by Police Regional Office-9 Director B/Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding and witnessed by Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe.
Prior to her appointment, Molitas was the former assistant chief of the Administrative Section at the Office of the Chief PNP and also served as the spokesperson of the National Capital Region Police Office.
She belongs to the Philippine National Police Academy Magilas Class of 2000 and has served the PNP in various capacities for over 20 years.
In 2017, Molitas was awarded by the provincial government of Benguet for outstanding leadership during its 117thfounding anniversary and Adivay Festival.
She was chosen as one of the 12 young emerging leaders of Asia in 2016 out of over 600 candidates for the Asia Foundation Development Fellows: Emerging Leadership for Asia’s Future program.
The distinction of having been picked as one of the 12 elite emerging leaders of Asia came a year after Molitas completed her studies in public policy analysis and public administration at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
She is also the first policewoman to have secured the Fullbright Scholarship in the United States and one of the Ambassadors for Peace and Goodwill for the United Nations.
She also received the Outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines and Distinguished Service Medal award.
Molitas is the daughter of Kibungan Mayor Cesar Molitas. – Ofelia C. Empian
