A total of 43 technical professionals were inducted into the Philippine National Police Officer Corps on Wednesday under the 2023 Lateral Entry Program.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. personally administered the oath of office to 43 of the Newly Appointed Police Commissioned Officers in ceremonies held at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Of the 43, there were 14 chemists, eight medical doctors, six lawyers, five dentists, five psychologists, two geodetic engineers and one priest, a medico-legal and electronic and communication engineer.

Acorda said the 43 extraordinary individuals have triumphed over the rigorous selection process of the lateral entry program for technical officers encompassing different technical fields that epitomize expertise, dedication and unwavering commitment to serving the nation.

"The lateral entry program is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and progress. I stand before you today beaming with pride, admiration, and a profound sense of optimism for the future of our beloved country. Each one of you embodies this change and your journey begins now. You will be called upon to make difficult decisions, to lead by example and to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. You will work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of our citizens. You will serve as the bridge between the rule of law and those who seek its protection," Acorda told the new hires.

"I encourage you to confront the challenges that lie ahead with resilience and deep sense of purpose. Continue to learn, adapt and grow for this is a journey of continuous improvement. Remember that your collective expertise will make a profound impact on our organization and our nation. As you embark on your new roles, always remember that you are not alone. You are a part of a larger family, the PNP family. A family built on trust, unity and shared commitment to service," he stressed.

The Lateral Entry Program for technical service officers is among the regular sources of commissioned officers in the PNP, aside from the cadetship program in the PNP Academy.

BSKE-related violence

now at 77

Meanwhile, the number of validated election-related incidents for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections  has climbed to 77, PNP PIO Chief and spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said on Wednesday.

Fajardo said from August 28 to 7 November a total of 297 incidents were recorded by the PNP of which 77 were validated to be election-related, 54 were suspected to be election-related, while 176 were non-related to the just-concluded BSKE.

The confirmed poll-related incidents had resulted in the deaths of 19 people and 66 injured, she added.