CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) officially expanded its ranks on Wednesday, inducting 870 new patrolmen and patrolwomen into the force during a solemn oath-taking ceremony at Camp Captain Julian Olivas.
The new batch of law enforcers represents a highly selective group. According to PRO3, the induction was the culmination of a rigorous recruitment cycle that began with over 3,000 hopefuls.
Only 29% of the original applicant pool successfully navigated the “stringent” vetting process, which included comprehensive medical exams, psychological evaluations, background checks, and intense physical screening.
Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones, Director of PRO3, addressed the fresh recruits, emphasizing that their new roles extend far beyond traditional employment.
“Police service is not just employment—it is a commitment, a responsibility, and a calling,” Peñones told the new officers. He reminded them that their authority is rooted in public trust and constant accountability.
The 870 new personnel are divided into two categories: 550 have been designated to fill “attrition quota” slots—replacing officers who have retired or left the service—while the remaining 320 are part of the “regular quota” aimed at expanding the force’s total size.
Regional officials expect this significant influx of manpower to provide an immediate boost to police visibility across Central Luzon’s seven provinces.
The addition is also intended to improve the police-to-population ratio, a key metric in the region’s strategy to enhance operational
readiness and public safety.
The rookie officers are now set to undergo further specialized training before being deployed to various units across the region.
