Eleazar: PNP to focus on resolving recruitment issues amid growing reports on rogue cops

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will prioritize addressing issues on its recruitment in light of recent reports of cops getting involved in fatal shooting incidents involving civilians, Police General Guillermo Eleazar said Wednesday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Eleazar said the organization is targeting to eradicate the padrino system and give importance to neuropsychiatric tests in the recruitment process.

“Doon tayo tumututok doon sa ating maayos na recruitment process na walang padrino, walang palakasan kasi diyan nagsisimula ang korapsyon...Kasama na rin ang neuropsychiatric test,” he said.

(We will focus on straightening out the recruitment process without the padrino system, without favoritism because that is where corruption starts…Neuropsychiatric test is also included.)

Eleazar made the statement when asked about the psychological or psychiatric factors that possibly contributed to the increasing number of police personnel getting involved in killings.

Currently, Eleazar said neuropsychiatric tests are only mandatory for promotion in the police organization and schooling requirements.

Unit commanders, through their station health units, can only request the test for their uniformed personnel if they notice an emotional or mental imbalance among their staff.

On Monday, 52-year-old Lilibeth Valdez was shown on video shot dead by the suspect identified as Police Master Sergeant Hensie Zinampan in Barangay Greater Fairview.

On Tuesday, the Quezon City Police District tagged two policemen and a driver as suspects behind the killing of another cop who was earlier reported to have shot himself on Sunday during a drinking spree. One of the suspects, Police Corporal Sherwin Rebot, allegedly shot Police Corporal Higino Wayan after losing an arm wrestling to the victim.

In December 2020, another police officer from Parañaque City Jonel Nuezca was also caught on video fatally shooting mother and son Sonya Gregorio, 52, and Frank Anthony Gregorio, 25, in Paniqui, Tarlac. — RSJ, GMA News