A police officer assigned under the Negros Island Region command is now facing both criminal charges and an internal administrative investigation after being accused of soliciting money from a civilian applicant who wanted to join the Philippine National Police — a scheme that regional authorities have publicly and strongly denounced.
Formal Complaint Lodged at Bacolod City Police Office
The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) confirmed in a statement issued Wednesday, June 10, 2026, that a formal complaint has been filed before the Bacolod City Police Office. According to PRO NIR, the complaint alleges that a police personnel demanded and collected money from a PNP applicant under the false assurance that the payment would guarantee the individual’s entry into the police service.
The situation reportedly escalated further, as the complainant alleged that additional sums of money were demanded even after the initial payment had already been made — a pattern consistent with extortion rather than a one-time irregular transaction, PRO NIR indicated.
The regional office confirmed that the complaint has since been referred to the appropriate authorities and that proceedings — both criminal and administrative in nature — have already been formally set in motion. PRO NIR did not disclose the identity of the accused officer, citing the ongoing nature of the legal and administrative proceedings, but confirmed that the individual is a serving member of the PNP under the Negros Island Region.
Regional Director Cardiño Issues Firm Condemnation
PRO NIR Regional Director Police Brigadier General Romano V. Cardiño issued a direct and unequivocal condemnation of the alleged conduct. In his statement, PBGEN Cardiño described the integrity of the PNP recruitment process as an absolute standard that his office will not compromise under any circumstances.
“The integrity of the recruitment process is non-negotiable. We will never tolerate any act that undermines public trust or exploits the aspirations of individuals who wish to serve in the police organization,” PBGEN Cardiño stated, as quoted by PRO NIR in its official release.
Cardiño further underscored that a PNP badge is not something that can be purchased, brokered, or obtained through personal connections or financial arrangements. According to PRO NIR, the regional director was emphatic that membership in the police force must be earned solely through an applicant’s own qualifications, strength of character, and genuine commitment to public service.
“The PNP badge is earned through qualification, character, and dedication to public service, never through influence, promises, or payment,” Cardiño emphasized in the same statement.
The regional director also assured the public that the investigation into the matter will be conducted thoroughly and without favor, and that any officer determined to have broken the law or violated the PNP’s code of conduct and ethical standards will face the full weight of applicable sanctions.
Dual-Track Legal and Administrative Process Now Active
PRO NIR confirmed that the office is simultaneously pursuing two separate but parallel tracks of accountability. The institution of appropriate criminal charges is being actively advanced, while a separate internal administrative investigation is also underway to assess violations of PNP regulations and determine the corresponding disciplinary measures.
According to the regional office, this dual-track approach is consistent with standard PNP protocols applied whenever personnel face allegations of misconduct that carry both potential criminal liability and internal regulatory violations. PRO NIR noted that both proceedings were ongoing as of the date of the statement and did not provide a specific timeline for their resolution.
Public Urged to Report Similar Incidents
Beyond addressing the specific complaint, PRO NIR used its public statement to appeal broadly to anyone else who may have been victimized by similar recruitment-related extortion schemes, or who may possess information relevant to such incidents within the Negros Island Region command.
The regional office stressed that the cooperation of the public is essential to maintaining genuine institutional accountability and protecting the credibility of the PNP’s recruitment process. PRO NIR encouraged potential witnesses or other victims to come forward and formally report what they know to the appropriate authorities.
“The public deserves a police organization that is professional, ethical, and worthy of trust. We urge anyone with information to surface and assist authorities so that appropriate actions may be undertaken,” Cardiño said in the statement released by PRO NIR.
While PRO NIR did not specify a dedicated hotline in its statement, complaints of this nature may generally be filed with the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) or directly with local police offices, according to standard PNP complaint procedures.
PNP Recruitment Requires No Fees — Policy Reiterated
PRO NIR took the opportunity to reiterate the official Philippine National Police policy on recruitment: no applicant is ever required to pay any fee, gratuity, gift, or consideration of any kind to any person — whether a serving officer, civilian staffer, or third-party fixer — in connection with a PNP application or selection process.
According to the regional office, PNP recruitment is governed entirely by merit-based standards and established institutional policies that evaluate candidates on the basis of their qualifications, physical fitness, psychological profile, background, and compliance with all legal requirements.
The PNP recruitment process itself involves multiple formal stages — including written examinations, physical agility tests, medical evaluations, neuro-psychiatric screening, background investigation, and deliberation by a recruitment board — none of which require any form of payment to an individual or intermediary, PRO NIR reiterated.
The regional office also issued a direct public warning: individuals — whether presenting themselves as police personnel or as civilian facilitators — who offer to help secure PNP positions in exchange for money are acting without authority, and such conduct constitutes a criminal offense under Philippine law.
Broader Context: Recruitment Integrity as an Ongoing Challenge
Allegations involving extortion and fixer activity during PNP recruitment and promotion processes are not new to the Philippine law enforcement landscape. The PNP’s Internal Affairs Service and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) have historically received complaints tied to irregular solicitation at various stages of the recruitment and career advancement process, according to publicly available institutional records.
The filing of the complaint before the Bacolod City Police Office marks one of the more recent and publicly acknowledged instances of such allegations arising within the Negros Island Region command. PRO NIR’s decision to issue a swift and transparent public statement — confirming both the complaint and the initiation of proceedings — reflects the regional office’s stated commitment to accountability and openness in addressing misconduct within its own ranks.
As of June 10, 2026, PRO NIR confirmed that both the criminal and administrative cases against the accused personnel remain active. Further developments are expected as the proceedings advance through the relevant legal and administrative channels.
Originally reported by: breakingnewsnegrosoriental.com
