PNP 12 hires 277 new police personnel

GENERAL SANTOS City– The Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 has hired some 277 additional police personnel as it continues to build up the manpower strength and operational capabilities of local police units.

Chief Supt. Lester Camba, Region 12 police director, said the new policemen comprise the initial hiring quota for the region this year that was earlier approved by the Philippine National Police central office.

He said the region was allotted 200 slots this year to fill up the personnel need of the Regional Public Safety Battalion.

The 77 slots represent the unfilled vacancies from the area’s hiring quota last year, he said.

“This our initial hiring for this year and we expect to add more personnel in the coming months,” Camba said.

The new police recruits are composed of 252 males and 25 females coming various parts of Region 12.

Also known as Soccsksargen, the region comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Chief Insp. Aldrin Martin Gonzales, PRO-12 public information officer, said the new recruits were among the applicants that earlier passes their rigorous recruitment process.

“The process covers intensive physical, mental and psychological examinations,” he said.

Gonzales said the new police personnel will immediately undergo a six-month basic training that will be handled by the PRO-12’s Regional Training Center based in this city.

He said they will later spend another six months for the Public Safety Field Training Program (PSFTP).

“They will be trained physically and mentally in preparation for their duties and responsibilities as law enforcers of the country. These will surely give them sweet and bitter experiences as police personnel,” he added. pna