ILOILO City – The padrino system, or currying favor through family affiliation or friendship instead of merit, in recruiting police personnel should be out of the picture, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Police General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar.
“Sa recruitment pa lang may corruption na. Mayroong nagbebenta ng kalabaw para ibayad at makapasok sa recruitment. Dito pa lang corrupt na siya hanggang madala niya sa serbisyo,” Eleazar told journalists during his exit visit to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) yesterday.
“(Ito ay) nagsilbing hadlang para makapasok ang iba pang mga qualified na aplikante,” he added.
Those intending to join the police force should be selected based on their qualifications and competencies, Eleazar stressed, and this was why he implemented the quick response (QR) code system, wherein applicants were “nameless” and “faceless” the entire application process.
“Select those who are the best and ready to serve the people. Sa mga taong gustong ilakad ang aplikante, sorry, hindi kita pagbibigyan,” said Eleazar.
The country’s top cop said this was part of the PNP’s internal cleansing “to repaint the tarnished reputation of the police.”
Eleazar also blasted police personnel engaged in illegal activities such as gambling and drugs.
“Ayaw natin ng pulis na abusado at utak-kriminal. Kung kailangan tanggalin, tanggalin natin,” said Eleazar.
Those who have minor administrative cases, meanwhile, would be charged with lower punishments, Eleazar added.
“We (will) reform them by giving light punishment, either suspension or demotion,” he said.
Eleazar is set to retire on Nov. 13, his 56th birthday./PN
