Manila, Sept. 17 -- Some 319 new police recruits will be deployed to police stations across Western Visayas after completing six months of basic training, boosting the Philippine National Police's efforts to address personnel shortages and strengthen its anti-criminality campaign.

Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuano, director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas, administered Wednesday the oath of the recruits, who were selected from more than 1,500 applicants for regular and attrition recruitment.

Tuano said personnel strength remains a concern in the region's campaign against crime, but he underscored the screening committee's efforts to select qualified applicants.

Despite the additional personnel, the region still falls short of t...