Eleazar eyes 17k new recruits to replace corrupt police officers

Over 17,000 aspirants will be recruited this year to replace rogue uniformed personnel in the organization, as part of efforts to cleanse the ranks, the new Philippine National Police's top cop said Sunday.

In an interview with "Dobol B TV," newly-installed PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said he will make sure the recruitment process would only yield "the best candidates for the PNP."

"Sa internal cleansing, magsisimula ito sa recruitment ng 17,000 na pulis for this year. Gusto natin tanggalin ang corruption, padrino system at palakasan," Eleazar said

[We start the internal cleansing with the recruitment of 17,000 police this year. We want to get rid of corruption, patronage system in selecting candidates to join 250,000-strong police force.]

"Kaya tayo nagkakaroon ng problema, hindi qualified. Pumapatay nang walang pakundangan, may isa pa nagmomolestiya ng kamag-anak," (Problems in the police force crop up due to misfits and those with criminal records), Eleazar pointed out.

"In the first place, hindi dapat nag-police sana mga yan, kung doon pa lang sa recuritment naprocess yan" (Misfits could not have joined the service if the process was done properly), he added.

He also reiterated that the recruitment process will use the QR code system to avoid "padrino system," a corrupt practice which uses family affiliations or friendship to promote or recruit a 

Under the QR code, the applicant's  qualifications will be included while name and face will not be displayed.

Fast-track probe on scalawags

Eleazar also vowed that the PNP will fast-track investigation into rogue policemen, adding that the PNP needs to follow due process before dismissing the accused from the police service.

"Tanggalin sa pwesto habang iniimbestigahan, para due process. Napakaraming gustong pumalit sa kanila at hindi tayo manghihinayang na tanggalin ang mga yan."

Last Friday, Eleazar assumed as PNP chief after his predecessor former PNP chief General Debold Sinas retired at the age of 56. —LBG, GMA News