PNP change into ‘professional’ force gradual, says DILG chief

MANILA, Philippines – The transformation of the Philippine National Police into a professional institution will be gradual amid changes in its recruitment policy, Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said Thursday.

Robredo was reacting to comments that erring policemen continued to be in the force despite the changes.

Robredo said that the PNP was “continuously eradicating erring policemen from their ranks and at the same time, improving the recruitment of future officers.”

Robredo said that corruption would occur even in areas with very “professional” police officers.

The PNP has started recruiting men using revised procedures to its process by concentrating on the behavioral and educational qualifications of its applicants.

The previous recruitment process first scrutinized the applicants’ physical fitness before looking into their behavior and education.