New members of Region12 police force take oath

EIGHTY police recruits took their oath of office last Monday as new members of the police force in Region 12 (Soccsksargen).

BGen. Jimili Macaraeg, Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) director, said the new policemen will still undergo the six-month mandatory training on public safety at the Philippine National Police Training Institute in General Santos City designed for noncommissioned officers.

“This is to provide them with the basic knowledge and skills in community policing, administration, combat operation, and tactics,” Macaraeg said.

He added the batch will also hurdle another six months of field training that involves experience in patrol, traffic control, and investigation work.

Macaraeg urged the new members of the police force to be loyal and true to their sworn duty, and be devoted to providing public service.

“Out of 296 applicants, only 80 of you made it, so don’t waste what you have endured,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acceptance of the new policemen came after the PRO-12 Transportation Security Summit 2022 was held in General Santos City last weekend.

The summit, presided over by the Department of Transportation, was attended by representatives from the police, military, coast guard, regional ports officials, and bus firms.

The summit was held following the November 6 bombing of a Yellow Bus Line (YBL) unit in Tacurong City that left one passenger dead and 11 injured, including the alleged bomb courier.

Macaraeg said the summit was organized to address the recurring bombings of public vehicles, with three bomb attacks on YBL buses alone this year.

He said a revamp in the current security measures on public transportation in the region was discussed at the summit.