By CESAR JOLITO III
The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has launched criminal and administrative proceedings following allegations that a police officer demanded and accepted money from an aspiring police applicant in exchange for assistance in securing entry into the police service.
According to PRO-NIR, a complaint filed before the Bacolod City Police Office alleged that a police personnel received money from an applicant and later requested additional payments, purportedly to facilitate the individual’s recruitment into the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In response, PRO-NIR Regional Director Police Brigadier General Romano Cardiño reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to a recruitment process anchored on fairness, transparency and merit, stressing that any form of extortion or illegal solicitation has no place in the police organization.
“The integrity of the recruitment process is non-negotiable. We will never tolerate any act that undermines public trust or exploits the aspirations of individuals who wish to serve in the police organization,” Cardiño said.
The regional director assured the public that the complaint will undergo a thorough and impartial investigation and that any personnel found liable for violating existing laws, rules and regulations will face appropriate criminal and administrative sanctions.
PRO-NIR said it has already initiated the necessary legal and administrative actions to establish accountability while a parallel investigation is underway in accordance with existing PNP policies.
The police regional office also called on other individuals who may have experienced similar incidents or possess information on recruitment-related illegal activities involving police personnel to come forward and formally report them.
“We urge anyone with information to surface and assist authorities so that appropriate actions may be undertaken,” Cardiño added.
PRO-NIR reiterated that no applicant is required to pay any amount to secure an appointment into PNP, emphasizing that recruitment is based solely on qualifications, competencies and compliance with established requirements.
As part of its commitment to good governance and institutional integrity, the regional office said it remains steadfast in protecting the credibility of the recruitment process and ensuring that every police officer earns the badge through merit, competence and lawful means.
“The PNP badge is earned through qualification, character and dedication to public service, never through influence, promises or payment,” Cardiño emphasized.
The PRO-NIR has been investigating a police corporal assigned to the Regional Headquarters Support Unit following the filing of a formal complaint against him by a police applicant.
The complaint alleged that the corporal offered to help secure his entry into the PNP in exchange for P50,000./CCJ, WDJ