PCG hails its first-ever female two-star general

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April 1, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — As National Women’s Month drew to a close, Rear Admiral Mitzie Silva-Campo made history as the first female two-star general in the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Campo formally took her oath before Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon yesterday.

Her promotion follows her achievement in October 2021, when she became the first female one-star general among the PCG’s general line officers.

According to the PCG, Campo’s career has been defined by excellence.

A distinguished scholar, she graduated at the top of her class in the Coast Guard Officers Course Class-1 Charlie, “Makagitaw.”

Campo also holds a Juris Doctor degree from Cor Jesu College in Digos City and a Master of Science in Maritime Affairs, specializing in Maritime Law and Policy, from the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden (Class of 2009).

Beyond her academic achievements, she has undergone extensive international training. She took part in the Japan International Cooperation Agency ship safety inspection course in Yokohama, Japan (2011) and the law of the sea course at the Australian National Center for Ocean Resources and Security in Australia (2021).

She is also a distinguished fellow of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Before transferring to the PCG, Campo was a commissioned officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

At the PCG, she has held several key positions, including being the first female inspector general of the Coast Guard Inspector General-Internal Affairs Service, coast guard adjutant and commander of the Coast Guard Doctrine, Development and Research Command.

She also worked at what was then known as the Department of Transportation and Communications as chief of staff to the undersecretary for operations.

Additionally, Campo represented the Philippines at the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia-Information Sharing Center in Singapore, where she served for over three years.

Since 2020, she has actively led the Philippine delegations in a series of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime initiatives, including the Maritime Law Enforcement Dialogue and the Women in Maritime Law Enforcement, alongside counterparts from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Women in politics push social issues

The broader shift toward greater female representation in leadership roles does not only exist in the military and maritime sectors but also in governance.

According to a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, many Filipinos believe that women in politics are more likely to champion social issues such as education and health care.

Conducted from March 15 to 20, the survey revealed that 74 percent of respondents agreed with the statement, “Women in politics are more likely to advocate for social issues such as education and health care.”

Meanwhile, 12 percent disagreed and 14 percent were undecided.

Moreover, the survey found that 51 percent of Filipinos believe women are better than men in governance, while 22 percent disagreed and 26 percent were undecided.

Despite this positive perception, the survey also highlighted challenges for women seeking political office, with 55 percent of respondents stating that “it is difficult for a woman to run for office unless she comes from a political family.” Twenty-five percent disagreed with the statement, while 19 percent were undecided.

Commissioned by Stratbase, the survey polled 1,800 respondents and had a margin of error of plus/minus 2.31 percent.

The poll is part of ongoing efforts to monitor Filipinos’ views on governance and public participation, including “public attitudes about women, particularly their role in politics,” according to the SWS. — Janvic Mateo