ARMM police to recruit only 'fit, qualified' cops

COTABATO CITY – The Police Regional Office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-ARMM) will ensure that new police recruits are fit and qualified to join the organization, Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, PRO-ARMM director, said Monday.

Mijares said he has already directed key personnel involved in the recruitment of new police officers to comply with the directive of Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde, who has ordered a strict and comprehensive background investigation and repeated neuro-psychological tests for applicants.

"Only those who are truly qualified will be allowed to undergo rigid police training,” Mijares said, even as he assured the “padrino” system and corruption in police recruitment will not take place in the ARMM under his leadership.

The recruitment has leveled up with Mijares' directive to publish the names of applicants in local newspapers and the social media to help the police determine the qualification of applicants.

The public may inform PNP-ARMM if an applicant has “bad records” before his or her application is processed. The information will be treated with utmost confidentiality, Mijares said.

Mijares also directed the PRO-ARMM health services office to be fair and certify only those who really passed neuro tests. Passers’ names will be made public before they undergo training.

PRO-ARMM is hiring at least 600 police recruits this year to be assigned in the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, and the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi that comprises the region. (PNA)