• Specialization: Investigation and Police Community Relations
• Years of Service: 17
• Career Highlights: Solved sensational crimes against women and children, consistently championing the rights of abused and exploited women and minors, including those in conflict with the law, efforts that have earned the support of the community and praise by other stakeholders in the community, as proven by numerous awards and distinctions she received
• Special Training: Earned 69 units in Bachelor of Laws, attended Public Safety senior Leadership Course and consistently topped other relevant training programs
• Personal Data: 39 years old, a native of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental and married to a fellow PNP member, SPO2 Luis Lacandula, with whom she has two children

In spite of its reputation as one of the country’s most peaceful cities – undoubtedlyearned with the help of the PNP – Dumagute hosts its share of criminal elements, including foreigners who prey upon youngsters looking for some relief from economic hardships. Thanks to the dedication and competence of our men and women in uniform, especially advocates of women and children’s rights and issues like SPO2 Lacandula, victims have recourse to justice and perpetrators, the ultimate nemesis. A couple operating a cyber sex shop, store owners selling pornographic materials, and a French national abusing teenage boys in exchange for educational assistance found this out a little too late, and are now paying for their crimes. Her investigative skills and relentless pursuit of justice have tremendously benefited victims of heinous crimes, sexual or otherwise, and helped convince members of the community to pay attention and share in the burden of protecting our women and children.

To expand her network of advocates, SPO2 Lacandula goes to the grassroots and helps build capabilities, beginning with school children. She regularly facilitates training programs for elementary and high school students to help them respond properly to incidents of abuse. She also conducts lectures for both men and women on gender issues, helping raise awareness and solicit partnership from among the widest sectors of the community. With the support of concerned citizens, including generous foreign donors and the media, SPO2 Lacandula has helped street children go back to school while promoting her worthwhile advocacies.