• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) will have 279 new police personnel following the oath-taking and turn-over ceremony for newly appointed patrolmen and patrolwomen at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City Wednesday, Sept. 16.
The recruits were selected under the Philippine National Police 2026 attrition and regular recruitment program.
Of the 279 new personnel, 168 were recruited under the attrition program, consisting of 136 males and 32 females, while 111 were selected under the regular recruitment program, composed of 97 males and 14 females.
PRO-NIR Director PBGen. Rudecindo Reales led the ceremony, which was attended by members of the command and regional staff, the PRO-NIR Screening Committee, other police personnel, and the recruits’ families.
After taking their oath, the new personnel were formally turned over to the Negros Island Regional Training Center, where they will undergo basic police training.
The training will focus on developing their knowledge, skills, discipline and values in preparation for their duties in maintaining peace and order, preventing and solving crimes, enforcing the law and protecting communities.
Reales stressed that the recruits’ training should go beyond learning police procedures and wearing the uniform, emphasizing the importance of character and integrity in police service.
“Your first loyalty is to the Constitution, the law, and the people you have sworn to serve,” Reales told the recruits.
He also reminded them that police officers should have the courage to reject unlawful orders and report wrongdoing through proper channels.
“Your uniform will identify you as a police officer. Your integrity will define what kind of police officer you become,” he said.
The 279 recruits will undergo their basic training before eventually being assigned to police units across the region. | GPB
