Cordillera PNP chief: No political patronage in recruitment of cops

By Susan Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Police Regional Office-Cordillera denied accusations that it is acceding to political patronage in selection of applicants to the service.  

PRO-COR regional director Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong, who appeared before members of the provincial board here last week said  theyscreen and recruit men and women in the service with due and fair process.

Magalong said they follow an institutionalized process in screening and recruitment system and that he  leaves the selection to the screening and recruitment committee in getting the best and the brightest.

He added they also go around schools in recruiting applicants.

Senior Supt. Joseph Adnol, chief of the police regional personnel and human resource development division, presented board members the process applicants undergo based on qualifications, requirements and necessary documents as well as physical, medical and dental examinations, neuro-psychological tests, physical agility tests including final interview.

           

Positions are those which were vacated due to retirement, death, resignation and dismissal from service of personnel. 

           

In screening of applicants, Adnol said   an ad hoc screening committee does the job.

           

Aside from the Philippine National Police, National Police Commission, peace and order council, and women sector as members of the ad hoc screening committee, Magalong cited the need to include a representation from the provincial board.

           

Complete background investigation is also a must in selecting qualified applicants including drug test, according to Adnol.

           

Women who represent 15 percent of the quota also  undergo pregnancy test after final interview as they will be subjected to  rigid trainings, he said.

           

Magalong said qualified applicants are ranked regardless of eligibility and school where they come from.           

Results are posted for transparency purposes, he added.

           

In the past, the region got about 0.13 percent in the list of top 20 but increased this to 13 percent.

           

Magalong said of the 87 positions available for the Cordillera under  the attrition quota, there were  585 applicants  but only  75 passed. 

           

He said the remaining 13 slots available will be filled up in the succeeding screening schedule.

           

Of the 140,000 policemen nationwide, to date the region has 3,890 policemen according to Magalong.