The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) is pursuing criminal charges while conducting a parallel administrative investigation against a police officer who allegedly extorted money from an applicant seeking appointment in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

As of Wednesday, June 10, the complaint filed before Police Station 4 of Bacolod City Police Office is being investigated.

The PRO-NIR neither identified the police officer involved nor his or her unit assignment.

In a statement, PRO-NIR Director Roman Cardiño said the PNP recruitment process is governed by established policies, merit-based standards, and strict procedures designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all qualified applicants.

“We will never tolerate any act that undermines public trust or exploits the aspirations of individuals who wish to serve in the police organization,” he added.

Based on the PRO-NIR report, “appropriate criminal charges are being pursued while a parallel administrative investigation is underway to establish accountability and determine the corresponding sanctions under existing PNP policies.”

Cardiño encouraged those who have similar experience or who possess relevant information regarding illegal recruitment-related activities involving any police personnel to formally report these incidents to the authorities.

“The public deserves a police organization that is professional, ethical, and worthy of trust. We urge anyone with information to surface and assist authorities so that appropriate actions may be undertaken,” he said. (PNA)