PRO 6 admin building and the police wannabes

If you visit Camp Martin Delgado today, some things will surely get your attention. But, let me offer you with the overview of at least two prominent things that you won't miss while entering the main gate of the camp.

A hundred meters away from the main entrance is the imposing structure of two-storey Administrative building of Police Regional Office 6. At the left side, surrounding the grandstand is the crowd of young men and women.

The Administrative Building was inaugurated last Friday, July 8, with no less than the Chief of the Philippine National Police PDG Arturo Lomibao as the Guest of Honor and Speaker. The structure was conceptualized and initiated by the former PRO 6 Regional Director George Aliño with the approval of the then Chief of the PNP PDG Hermogenes Ebdane. The construction of this 15-million project commenced September last year and was completed on June 12, 2005.

The new Administrative Building is a realization of the dream of the police force in the region to have a prominent, concrete structure that will house the different offices of Regional Headquarters of Police Regional Office 6. As inscribed in one of its markers: “This administrative building stands as the symbol of PNP unity, integrity and honor. It is our mark of excellence, our rock of strength….our citadel of democracy and justice.”

It is my deepest prayer that those words will continue to inspire each police officer to deliver effectively and efficiently public services amidst the political and economic crisis buffeting the country today!!!

-o0o-

At the left portion of the camp, the presence of a crowd in white T-shirts and blue jeans can't elude your attention. They are more than a thousand young professionals coming from six provinces in Western Visayas and are vying for the position of police officer one (PO1) with the Philippine National Police.

The number is unbelievable. With the PNP among the top list of the most corrupt agencies in the country, I can't just imagine what makes these aspirants engage in a long and complicated recruitment process for police wannabes.

But, as the unemployment rate becomes seemingly helpless, it is no doubt that anyone will jump on anything to survive. Kapit sa patalim , they say. Is it the same case for these young professionals? Maybe yes, maybe not! I hope not!

The volume of applicants, however, is a good opportunity for the screening committee to have the best picks for the next generation of police officers. Of the a thousand, only 340 slots are due for this year's recruitment making the competition really so tight.

Not a single applicant is without eligibility; meaning, they don't simply pass the Civil Service Commission professional exam or NAPOLCOM's police officers entrance exam. Each of them has already earned a degree. Basically, the academic background of the applicants is the least among the concerns of the committee. The contest lies only on whether they are physically, psychologically and morally fit in the service.

However, the qualifying process is not easy, as it seemed. Things are getting difficult as the applicants progress towards the next level of the process. Surely, by now, most of applicants realize that it is not that simple to earn the PNP badge and the blue uniform. The process is really hard. And, the stake is even more difficult once you are in!!!

-o0o-

Send your suggestions and comments to rogatepnp@yahoo.com or text to 09193161190 .