New cops take oath

CEBU, Philippines - Sixty-four new police recruits took their oath yesterday as new members of the Philippine National Police.

The new policemen were the successful applicants who hurdled the rigid screening. After the oath-taking ceremonies at the Police Regional Office-7 headquarters in Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr. yesterday, the new recruits were immediately transported to the Regional Training School in Gaas, Balamban to start the six months training.

Among the successful applicants was PO1 Jeffrey Romano who temporarily left his wife and son to pursue his dream of becoming a policeman.

"Antoson lang gyud nako bahalag dugay tungod ug alang sa akong anak ug pamilya" Romano said.

Chief Supt. Samuel Yordan, deputy regional director for administration, presided the oath-taking ceremony.

Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, chief of the PRO 7 human resource and personnel division, said the recruits will undergo six to seven months training on Public Safety Basic Course at the RTS 7 to acquire the highest standards of police discipline, industry, courtesy and value.

Gillamac hopes that the training will serve as proof to the new police officers that they are capable and fitted in the PNP organization.

After the training, the recruits shall undergo Field Training Program for another six months in big cities within Central Visayas to actually observe and experience police operations in the field of investigation, traffic and patrol.

The recruits will also undergo the Modified Special Counter-Insurgency Operations Unit Training (SCOUT) for 45 days in the town of Sibonga.

Yordan said the 64 new police officers were among the 247 applicants for their Supplemental Attrition Program.

"After final deliberation, 64 na lang g'yud ang nakapasa," said Yordan.

The PRO 7 official said they were supposed to fill in the 119 quota. He hopes to be able to reach the quota in the next attrition program after the midterm elections. —/FPL (FREEMAN)