10,000 new recruits to join PNP

A total of 10,000 new members will soon join the Philippine National Police, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.

In a statement on Friday, DILG Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said 10,000 new policemen and women will join the force in July.

“These new youngbloods went through rigorous screening including drug test, face to face interview, psychological and psychiatric examination, complete background investigation, and committee deliberation, among others,” said Sarmiento, concurrent chairman of the National Police Commission.

The 10,000 new recruits are part of the PO1 Regular Recruitment Program or the first cycle of the PO1 Recruitment Program.

Sarmiento explained that these recruits will strengthen the Police Regional Offices' (PROs) campaign in insurgency-affected areas.

The otehr new recruits will join National Operational Support Units including the Special Action Force, Maritime Group and Aviation Security Group.

Meanwhile, Sarmiento said that the recruitment of 11,200 additional policemen will start this month, as part of the second cycle of the PO1 Attrition Recruitment Program. They are expected to take their oaths by November 15, 2016.

Recruits from this cycle will replace policemen who were "attrited for reasons of retirement, death, dropping from the rolls, separation, dismissal and resignation from the police service."

Sarmiento encouraged aspiring cops to visit the nearest police stations in their areas or check the PNP website for details.

“I am calling out our brave Filipino fellowmen and women who aspire to join PNP: Now is the time for you to realize your dream of contributing to nation-building by keeping our communities and streets safe," he encouraged. —Rie Takumi/ALG, GMA News