CAMP DANGWA, LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) head, Chief Supt. Rolando Nana, has rallied the 462 newly appointed Police Officers 1 (PO1) in the region to lead in the fight against criminality, corruption, terrorism, and illegal drugs to ensure public safety and security.
“You must bear in mind that this is a lifetime commitment. Your decision to enter the police service must have been based on your desire to serve God, country, and people and not for the purpose of any personal motive or gain,” Nana told the new policemen during their oath-taking on Monday.
The new police officers are composed of 350 males and 112 females, who have passed the screening process.
“I hope that you will always be vigilant in safeguarding peace and order and in protecting the rights of every citizen and safeguarding your actions. I expect to see you act as role models for the rest of the members of our units in the continuing search for security and stability and in ensuring the attainment of the PNP plans and programs, aligned with the thrusts of our President’s administration in curbing criminality, illegal drugs, and corruption,” he said.
As they enter the police service on their first day, the new cops were reminded to act professionally as public servants.
“You leave your civilian mentality, your life, for you are now a government property,” Nana said, adding the new cops must act “in accordance with the mission and vision of the Philippine National Police (PNP), which is to serve and protect.”
“What you do in uniform affects not only yourselves as individuals, but the entire agency and, perhaps, the entire profession,” Nana told the young police officers, who wore white shirt and blue jeans as they were sworn into the service, before being given their official police uniforms.
“As police officers, you must work together to be the officers that the public demands and expects you to be. You must be a good example, you must make the hard choices to do the right thing under every circumstance. It is only in these ways that you will be able to provide the level of service our communities deserve and to really begin the work of making a difference in the lives of others,” Nana said.
The PROCOR received 1,406 applicants and accepted 462, who hurdled the rigid screening process.
Nana also gave special recognition to the parents, friends, and other family members, who gave their full support and guidance to the young men and women in pursuing the calling to serve and protect the people in the Cordillera region and the entire nation.
The newly appointed PO1s, who, each will receive more than PHP29,000 monthly basic pay starting Oct. 1, will be turned over to the Cordillera Administrative Region Training Center (CARTC) at Teachers Camp for a six-month police training.
Supt. Carter Balunes, regional training director of CARTC, said the six-month training course begins with a 45-day subject matter on Internal Security Operations (ISO), while four months will be on academic lessons.
The training also includes defense tactics, drills, and ceremonies.
Upon completion of their six-month training, the new policemen will undergo a field training program in the different police stations at the different provincial offices before being given their assignment in Cordillera. (Primo Agatep/PNA)
