FAIR RECRUITMENT. PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar (right) leads the launch of the Comprehensive Online Recruitment Encrypting System (CORES) in Camp Crame on Thursday (May 27, 2021). Under the system, only the applicant’s qualifications will be evaluated in determining whether he/she will be accepted in the police force. (Photo courtesy of PNP-PIO)
MANILA – The use of a 'faceless and nameless' recruitment system will ensure that only the best candidates can enter the Philippine National Police (PNP), its leadership said on Thursday.
“We will only accept those police applicants who are most qualified and most deserving. Only the best for the PNP. Walang mukha o pangalang lalabas habang ongoing ang application process at tanging ang credentials niya lamang ang pagbabasehan kung siya ba ay tanggap sa PNP (There will be no face or names that will appear while the application process is ongoing and only the credentials will be the basis whether one can be accepted into the PNP)," PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said during the launch of the Comprehensive Online Recruitment Encrypting System (CORES) in Camp Crame.
He said getting rid of the unfair and possibly corrupt practices in the recruitment process will ensure that only those who truly have the heart to serve the country can become law enforcers.
“Gusto na nating tuldukan ang bulok na sistema ng iilang aplikante na kumakapit sa matataas na opisyal ng PNP para lamang makapasok sa organisasyon. Sa ganitong sistema, may korapsyon na kaagad eh. Iyan ang hindi natin hahayaang makapasok sa ating hanay (We want to end the rotten system where some applicants get a backing from ranking PNP officials just to enter the organization. With this kind of system, there is already corruption. We don't want these people to enter our ranks),” he added.
Under the recruitment scheme, a QR (quick response) Code System will be used to conceal the identity of the applicant. Only the applicant’s qualifications will be evaluated in determining if he/she will be accepted in the police force.
Eleazar cited the case of rookie policewoman, Patrolwoman Razy Joy Alejandrino, who successfully joined the ranks even if she had no connections within the PNP.
“Isang halimbawa itong si Patrolwoman Alejandrino na kahit wala kang backer, maaari kang makapasok sa PNP basta’t ikaw ay masipag, matiyaga, at qualified sa aming hanay,” he said, adding that Alejandrino worked as a dishwasher and janitress to save money for transportation fare and other expenses in the course of her application.
For this year’s recruitment, the National Police Commission approved 17,134 slots to be filled up in the PNP to replenish personnel losses, increase strength, enhance visibility, and improve the police-to-population ratio for the maintenance of peace and order in the community.
The QR Code System will be utilized in the entire application process of the applicant, including the Body Mass Index and agility test, drug, and neuropsychiatric test, and physical, medical, and even dental examinations.
“This could serve as a symbolic approach but the point here is this will be the basis for us to choose the best for the PNP,” Eleazar said.
Last May 21, Eleazar virtually met with members of the academe to discuss the recruitment of more than 17,000 new police officers this year.
The online symposium generated more than 21,000 participants which indicated a large number of interested police applicants since the activity also served as a career guidance forum for the graduates of the participating colleges and universities.
IMEG to help monitor recruitment
Meanwhile, Eleazar has ordered the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) to put up a complaint desk at the venue of all recruitment across the country to monitor the process in various police regional offices (PROs).
Brig. Gen. Thomas Frias, IMEG chief said this is part of the PNP leadership’s ongoing massive Intensified Cleanliness Policy aimed at penalizing police personnel defying strict directives and other policies.
“Let me go directly to my marching orders from the Chief, PNP which are very clear and simple, we will ensure the integrity and credibility of both the recruitment process and the applicants undergoing said process, my team will be employing overt and covert approaches to preempt possible irregularities and to apprehend violators of existing policies in recruitment,” he said.
The IMEG complaint desk will be established at the venue of all the recruitment activities for CY 2021 with the following salient functions: conduct information dissemination; monitor and gather information; receive complaints; conduct validation and case build up; and render the reports to concerned field unit.
Frias said information may also be forwarded to Facebook Page: Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group and Twitter account: @imeg2017. He assured the public that the identities of the informant will be kept strictly confidential. (PNA)
