PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Tuesday assured the public that only the best and qualified 17,000 police applicants will be recruited under their QR Code System which ensures no more ‘palakasan’ in the PNP recruitment program.

Under the system, all applicants are rendered anonymous to prevent outside interference and ensure that those who will make it to the force made it on their own.

Gen. Eleazar also thanked the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) for approving the recruitment of some 17,000 new Patromen this year and assured the policy-making body and the public that they will only select the best and the brightest.

“Tayo po ay natutuwa at inaprubahan ng NAPOLCOM ang pagkuha natin ng karagdagang pulis. Tinitiyak natin sa NAPOLCOM at sa ating mga kababayan na we will only get the best and most qualified people for the PNP,” he said.

The NAPOLCOM has approved the recruitment of 17,314 new police officers to enable the PNP to replenish personnel losses, increase strength, enhance visibility, and improve the police-to-population ratio for the maintenance of peace and order.

“Gaya ng ipinangako ko sa aking pag-upo bilang CPNP, gagamitan natin ng quick response o QR codes ang mga applications ng mga gustong magpulis. Walang pangalan o mukha, panay QR code, sa buong application process. Sa ganitong paraan ay hindi na uubra ang padrino system at tanging sariling credentials at kwalipikasyon ang magdadala sa ating mga aplikante,” Gen. Eleazar said.

According to the top cop, their QR Code System completely eliminates so-called ‘padrinos’ or patrons and influence-peddling in the police force.

“Wala nang backer-backer. Wala nang kailangang lapitang opisyal o kakilala sa loob. Sasalain po nating mabuti at dadaan sa patas na proseso ang lahat ng ating mga bagong recruits. Pipiliin lamang natin iyong mga indibidwal na kwalipikado, may integridad, may puso para sa serbisyo publiko at talagang karapat-dapat mapabilang sa aming hanay,” he said.

The top cop explained that the use of the QR Code System in the police recruitment process would guarantee the anonymity of all applicants and make it difficult for anybody to interfere.

“Dito sa paggamit natin ng QR Code System walang mukha o pangalan ng ating mga aplikante kaya inaalis natin ang posibilidad na may padrinong makikialam sa proseso,” he said.

“Ibig sabihin, tanging qualifications at credentials lamang ang gagamiting basehan ng mga mag-eevaluate sa kanila. Magkakaalaman na lang talaga ng mga pangalan sa pinaka-final stage, kapag pasado nang police recruit ang aplikante,” he added.

The NAPOLCOM has reminded members of the Screening and Selection Committee to strictly follow rules on the recruitment process as well as the guidelines released by the IATF on the community quarantine.

On his Day 1 as PNP chief, Gen. Eleazar had made it clear he is hell-bent on making sure that from hereon, all police applicants will make it to the force on their own and bereft of any external interference or the usual ‘resetas and pakisuyo’ from influential personalities including retired generals.

“It’s high time to stop the so-called ‘Padrino System’ in the PNP. Nung NCRPO director ako, mga 4,000 plus ang nag-file ng application pero mga 300 ang me mga reseta,” he recounted.

According to the 26th PNP chief, all the applicants during his term as Metro Manila police chief were all qualified to enter the police force.

“They were all eligible but we look for the best qualified applicant, yung papasa sa BMI, sa agility test, sa physical, medical, dental, NP test,” he said.

Gen. Eleazar said that he is making sure that police applicants will make it to the force on their own and not because they had the backings of retired generals or other government officials and influential personalities.

“Naging kalakaran na kasi na kung walang padrino, kung hindi nakatimbre, hindi ka matatanggap. Yun ang naging attitude noon at saksi tayo diyan. Meron talagang binibilin, me nagsasabi na baka ma-slash. But because of this system, nawawalan ng chance yung applicants na walang kakilala, Pero masisisi mo ba yung retired general na tatawag? Masisisi mo ba yung nasa Health Service na me care of,” he said.

Gen. Eleazar lamented the fact that some PNP applicants in the past failed to fulfill their dreams of becoming policemen because they had no so-called ‘connections.’

The old practice also prompted some applicants to seek the help of some persons who promised them entry to the force, naturally for a fee.

“Yun ang dahilan kung bakit me iba tayong mga kababayan na nagbenta ng kalabaw, talagang kumapit sa patalim para makapasok sa PNP,” he said.

Gen. Eleazar said that under a new PNP recruitment system, qualified applicants can be assured of entry into the force. “Sa ating QR Code System, no names, mami-minimize diyan ang intervention,” he added.

The PNP chief warned PNP recruitment officers that they will be in deep trouble should they be found out to be involved in recruitment irregularities. “Toe the line kayo lahat diyan as I will be checking recruitment personnel na nagbibigay ng pangalan, mga pangako sa aplikante. Tiyak mamalasin kayo sa akin,” the top cop underscored.

He also told PNP applicants not to believe in people telling them they can help facilitate their entry into the police force. “I am telling all PNP applicants na pag me lumapit sa inyo at nagsabing tutulungan kayo kapalit ng pera, lolokohin lang kayo ng mga yan,” he said.