Res Gestae
Who says who's in?
In a few weeks from now, another bunch of professionals will join the ranks of the Philippine National Police. There are at present more than eight hundred applicants at Camp Delgado vying for the position of Police Officers One (PO1). Unfortunately, only about two hundred fifty of them shall make it to the quota for this year's recruitment in the region. Hence, the big question is who's in and who's out?
Gone were the days that only a town mayor can make and unmake a police. Now, its time for our governors and congressmen to make one! Of course, our senators and department secretaries are no exception. Yes, nowadays, if one wishes to enter the police service, having only a town mayor as a back up is like one having a General Rating Average of 75 on his transcript of records. It is truly a disappointing reality but we have to accept the fact that "what" one knows does not matter nowadays but "who" one knows.
The recruitment of police officers has been for decades attracting young professionals from different fields of expertise. Like in the past recruitments, this year's applicants are either licensed teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, or crimologists... name it! It is maybe because we are producing thousands of graduates every year yet construct only a few classrooms and hospitals and throw away investors with the seemingly unending political hullabaloos both in Congress and Senate. Where would we expect then our teachers, doctors and nurses go? We are still fortunate, however, that many of them still opt to serve this country even in a field quite strange to what they had been preparing for years in college.
There is always a positive side in the story though. It is strange but this could be an opportunity for the PNP to choose the most fitting persons to work with its present thrusts.
Everyone knows that the PNP organization is wanting of persons who can transcend their personal cravings and have passions for common good. With more than eight hundred applicants of varied educational, cultural and family backgrounds, the PNP could surely recruit more than enough persons of commendable qualities. That if our politicos would not use their influence to sneak in their own preference with utter disregard to the standard qualifications.
Almost every year the PNP has always have the golden opportunity to increase the tribe of admirable police officers. But, it hardly happens because the dregs and misfits often find a way in through our "honorable" (?) politicos.
Huh! I already have said a lot on this. By now, I can only keep my fingers crossed that in this year's recruitment most of politicos' bets will, by heaven's name, be stricken out in the list of successful applicants!
Let's make the PNP the noblest of all professions!
(Send your comments and suggestions to rogatepnp@yahoo.com)