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The Philippine National Police headquarters in Quezon City. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — The Philippine National Police on Wednesday assured the public that all police recruits undergo a proper and stringent recruitment process as it welcomed more than 7,000 new personnel nationwide.
A total of 7,124 new recruits are entering the PNP under its CY 2026 Regular and Attrition Recruitment Program.
Of the total, 946 new patrolmen and patrolwomen were welcomed at the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame.
They will be assigned to national support units, which provide specialized support to police operations nationwide.
Another 6,178 recruits are being welcomed in different police regional offices. Of this number, 1,700 are under the regular recruitment program while 4,478 are under the attrition recruitment program.
The oath-taking for recruits in the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region is expected to be held in the coming weeks due to the ongoing elections in the region.
PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the recruitment is part of the police organization's efforts to strengthen its personnel complement.
“The PNP is continuously recruiting and upgrading our organization. The only way that we can do it is of course, nagre-recruit tayo ng mga pulis,” Nartatez said.
The PNP chief also assured the public that safeguards are in place to prevent favoritism and the illegal selling of recruitment slots.
“The program was faceless, contactless and nameless such that maiwasan natin ‘yung pagkakakilanlan at maiwasan natin ‘yung mapapaboran doon sa pag-recruit,” Nartatez said.
The assurance comes after the recent arrest of two active police officers allegedly involved in a “slot for sale” scheme.
The PNP chief said authorities would continue to arrest those who violate the recruitment process.
PNP chief warns cops against using uniform for extortion
For the newly recruited police officers, Nartatez stressed the importance of remaining faithful to their oath to serve and protect the country.
He said their oath should be upheld “at all cost” as they begin their careers in the police service.