BUTUAN CITY — The local police chief here challenged the new recruits to stick to good values as they join the force.

At the Police Regional Office 13, 271 new police officers took oath after passing six months of grueling screening under the PO1 Recruitment Program of the Philippine National Police.

Police Chief Supt. Rolando Felix, regional director of PRO 13, challenged rookie officers to stay in the straight and narrow in the midst of a PNP campaign to weed out erring personnel.

"What is right must be left right, what is wrong must be set right. Kaya ngayon one of our focus is internal cleansing. As neophytes in the PNP service, build your foundations in three values 'yung tinatawag na integrity, commitment and genuine concern to our communities," Felix said.

Several new officers who had dreamed of joining the force were emotional during the oath-taking.

In his speech, Felix also defended the organization's move to temporarily halt their illegal drugs campaign.

"Siguro nga to ensure credibility ng enforcers. Mag-internal cleansing muna para makapag-rest at mag-focus sa iba. 'Pag ready na uli, tuloy-tuloy ito," Felix said.

After their oath-taking, the new recruits will undergo six months of rigorous training and they will start to receive a pay of P14,800.