A police corporal assigned to the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) is under administrative and criminal investigation after a police applicant accused her of collecting P50,000 in exchange for a promised slot in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, ordered a thorough investigation into the complaint filed against Police Corporal Erchelle Letsoncito, who is assigned to the Regional Headquarters Support Unit at the PRO-NIR headquarters in Bacolod City.

The complaint was filed by the police applicant, whose identity was withheld for security purposes, before Police Station 4 of the Bacolod City Police Office on Tuesday, June 9.

According to the initial investigation, Letsoncito allegedly offered to help the applicant gain entry into the police service in exchange for P50,000.

The applicant claimed he handed P10,000 in cash to Letsoncito on April 6 inside the PRO-NIR headquarters at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City, and transferred the remaining P40,000 through GCash on the corporal’s instructions.

Investigators said the applicant eventually learned that Letsoncito had no authority to facilitate recruitment into the PNP.

The complaint also alleged that Letsoncito attempted to contact the applicant on June 7 and 8 through a visit to his residence and through their barangay.

Meanwhile, Nartatez reminded aspiring police officers that entry into the organization cannot be bought.

“Let this serve as a lesson that you cannot buy your entry into the PNP,” the top cop said.

The PNP chief said the organization had already dismantled practices that allowed influence and favoritism to affect recruitment.

“The old days of the patronage system are over. We have already institutionalized reforms to protect the integrity and professionalism of the police force,” he noted.

Nartatez warned police personnel against taking advantage of applicants and directed all regional directors to strengthen oversight of recruitment activities, strictly enforce anti-corruption measures, and act immediately on reports involving unauthorized recruitment schemes.

He also instructed PRO-NIR officials to determine whether other applicants may have fallen victim to similar schemes and to encourage witnesses and complainants to come forward.

Addressing those hoping to join the police service, Nartatez stressed that recruitment follows established procedures and does not require intermediaries.

“To all aspiring police officers, there is no payment, backer, or intermediary required to enter the PNP,” he said.

“Recruitment is merit-based, transparent, and governed by established procedures. We urge applicants to reject and immediately report anyone who offers guaranteed admission in exchange for money or favors,” he added.