Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. pledged tighter action Thursday against recruitment fixers to prevent money, political connections, and influence peddling from affecting the entry of new officers into the police service.

Nartatez directed all Police Regional Offices and National Support Units to closely monitor recruitment activities and eliminate “slot-for-sale” schemes.

The measure follows directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to bolster integrity across government hiring.

This announcement coincided with Nartatez administering the oath to 7,000 newly appointed patrolmen and patrolwomen under the 2026 regular and attrition recruitment quotas last Wednesday.

The class includes 5,100 recruits filling attrition slots and 2,000 under the regular quota. A total of 946 recruits took their oath at PNP headquarters in Camp Crame for assignment to National Support Units, while regional offices welcomed the remaining new officers.

Nartatez stressed that enforcement against recruitment corruption remains active, revealing that a sting operation last week led to the arrest of active PNP personnel allegedly involved in selling recruitment slots.

He reiterated that safeguards are in place to ensure all incoming personnel are selected solely through merit, discipline, and competence.