Caraga: A total of 220 recruits officially joined the ranks of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 in Caraga and began their six-month mandatory training under the Public Safety Basic Recruit Course on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the 220 new police officers were selected from 1,413 applicants, which included 1,056 males and 357 females. Maj. Jennifer Omiter, the chief of information for PRO-13, noted that 200 of the recruits were part of the attrition-based recruitment, while the remaining 20 came from the regular quota for PRO-13.

The new recruits took their oath of office on Monday, in a ceremony administered by PRO-13 Director Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano Magistrado IV. Following the oath-taking, the officers commenced their training at the Police Regional Training Center Caraga, located at Camp Sen. Robert Z. Barbers in Surigao City.

In his address to the recruits, Magistrado emphasized the importance of serving with humility and integrity. He reminded them that the power they hold is to protect and serve, not to abuse or intimidate.