Colonel Francel, a distinguished alumna of the Philippine Military Academy’s””Sanghaya””Class of 2000, serves as a commissioned officer in the Philippine Army’s Signal Corps. With a career spanning 30 years, she has excelled in technology-driven roles, contributing to security, research, teaching, operations, and administration.

She has held diverse positions, including VVIP protection as a member of the Presidential Security Group and critical roles during the COVID-19 pandemic as Information Systems Officer for the Task Force and Head Executive Assistant to the Chief Implementer of the National Action Plan Against COVID-19.
She also commanded the 7th Signal Battalion in Northern Luzon, overseeing Command, Control, Communications, and Cyber (C4) systems, driving modernization, and implementing innovative strategies in her area of operations.

Colonel Francel’s exceptional achievements have earned her international acclaim. She was recently a TEDx Speaker highlighting her advocay on the revolutionary “Cyber for Peace Initiative”…
In 2023, she was named Global Cybersecurity Woman Leader of the Year, chosen from various nominees across 62 countries. She is among the Top 30 Women in Security in ASEAN in 2021 and one of the Top 10 Women in Cyber Security in the Philippines in 2020. She has been recognized by international entities as an Epic Woman in Cyber and Wonder Woman in Tech. She was featured in the International Cyber News magazine during Cybersecurity Month 2023—the first Filipino honored in its pages.
She was also appointed as the Responsible AI Governor of the Philippines by the Global Council for Responsible AI.

As the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ first-ever female Spokesperson in the AFP’s 89 years of existence, Colonel Francel balances her roles as a Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Secure Computer User, an international lecturer, and a staunch advocate for Women, Peace, and Security. She is a mentor, gender and development (GAD) trainer, a development practitioner, judoka, a pistol expert, and devoted mother of two wonderful sons.

A trailblazer in both military and cybersecurity fields, Colonel Francel exemplifies resilience, innovation, and leadership, inspiring many through her dedication and advocacy.