Napolcom lacks some 50,000 police personnel

The 219 new patrolmen in formation during their oath-taking ceremony at Camp Julian Olivas on November 9, 2022. (Photo courtesy of the Police Regional Office 3)

MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) is lacking about 50,000 police personnel, its vice chairperson and executive officer Alberto Bernardo said on Wednesday.

During the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs hearing, Bernardo said that they currently have 71,000 patrolmen and patrolwomen.

“Ngayon po kasi may 129,000 [manning positions] ang patrolmen at patrol women. Subalit, nasa 71,000 pa lang po ang patrolwomen at patrolmen doon,” Bernardo said.

(Currently, we have 129,000 manning positions for patrolmen and patrol women. However, we only have around 71,000 patrolmen and patrolwomen.)

“Kaya isa rin po ‘yun sa sasabihin namin sa technical working group, pa’no mapalawak ‘yung community-based policing at hindi po maging top-heavy ‘yung PNP (Philippine National Police) kumbaga ma-create po ito. Kulang po kami ng 50,000 policemen and policewomen sa kasalukuyan,” he added.

(We will raise that during the technical working group, how we can expand community-based policing so that the PNP will not be top-heavy. We currently lack 50,000 policemen and policewomen.)

Panel chairperson, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, then asked what the issue was.

“Anong problema doon? Walang nag-a-apply? Walang nag-qualify? Pa’no? Kasi yearly naman tayo gumagawa ng recruitment,” the senator said.

(What is the problem? No one is applying? No one is qualifying? How? Because we are recruiting yearly.)

Bernardo replied that additional positions were made, tapping the budget for patrolmen and patrol women recruitment.

“Sinangguni po namin ‘yung PNP at saka DBM (Department of Budget and Management) sa kadahilanan na nagdadagdag kasi po tayo ng position sa taas and nagalaw po ‘yung budget dito. Kulang ‘yung budget para punuan ‘yung 50,000,” the Napolcom official said.

(We consulted the PNP and DBM because we added positions and the budget for recruitment was used. The budget to fill the 50,000 personnel is lacking.)

“Subalit, kailangan magkaroon ng additional fund para maka-hire ng [50,000],” he continued.

(We need additional funds to hire another 50,000 personnel.)

DBM Budget Information Legislative Service Acting Director Trisha Baraan said that the funding requirements should be proposed to the DBM during budget preparation.

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JPV