(PNA photo by PGLena)
ILOILO CITY – A total of 319 new police recruits will be assigned to police stations across Western Visayas after completing six months of basic training, as the Philippine National Police moves to address personnel shortages in the region.
Police Regional Office 6 director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño administered the oath of the recruits on Wednesday. They were selected from more than 1,500 applicants under the regular and attrition recruitment program.
Tuaño said manpower remains a challenge in the region’s anti-criminality campaign, with some areas still falling short of the ideal police-to-population ratio.
He said local police units in areas with larger populations continue to coordinate with local government units and force multipliers to augment personnel.
The recruits will undergo the six-month Public Safety Basic Recruit Course at the Regional Training Center in Bacolod City.
After completing the program, they will be deployed to police stations for field exposure in investigation, operations, police-community relations and other law enforcement functions.
Tuaño said the training is intended to prepare recruits for the responsibilities of police service and help them develop the discipline and values expected of PNP personnel.
He also directed that financial literacy be included in the training curriculum.
The regional police office is likewise studying the inclusion of driving instruction following a directive from Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla that recruits learn to operate motorcycles and four-wheel vehicles.
