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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 102 ex-MILF, MNLF fighters join PNP in landmark ceremony

102 ex-MILF, MNLF fighters join PNP in landmark ceremony

Published Aug 11, 2023 06:45 am

At A Glance

  • The Philippine National Police facilitated the oath-taking of 102 former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters as new PNP officers.
  • The landmark ceremony was held at Camp Brig. Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday, August 10.
  • The new patrolmen and patrolwomen were composed of 52 individuals from the MILF quota and 50 individuals from the MNLF quota. There were 94 males and 8 females from the successful applicants.
  • Their incorporation to the police force was a result of a groundbreaking agreement signed by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on April 7, 2022 which enabled eligible MILF and MNLF members to take the NAPOLCOM Special Qualifying Eligibility Examination (NSQEE) and enter the police force.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) facilitated the oath-taking of 102 former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters as new police officers in a landmark ceremony at Camp Brig. Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday, August 10.

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A total of 102 individuals from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) quota take oath as new Philippine National Police (PNP) officers in a landmark ceremony at Camp Brig. Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on August 10, 2023. (Photo by PNP)

The new patrolmen and patrolwomen were composed of 52 individuals from the MILF quota and 50 individuals from the MNLF quota. There were 94 males and 8 females from the successful applicants.

The MILF and MNLF were two of the biggest Muslim secessionist groups in the country.

However, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) signed a groundbreaking agreement on April 7, 2022 which enabled eligible MILF and MNLF members to take the NAPOLCOM Special Qualifying Eligibility Examination (NSQEE) and enter the police force.

This formed part of the government's efforts to transform former MILF and MNLF combatants into productive members of society and build on the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process.

Initially, a total of 7,145 out of 11,033 examinees (64.77 percent) passed the NSQEE held in Cotabato and Lamitan City, Basilan on May 29, 2022.

Of the number, a total of 1,249 candidates were endorsed by the Bangsamoro government, which was a cornerstone requirement of their entry into the program.

The number of applicants were further reduced as the applicants were subjected to several PNP assessments such as body mass index (BMI) evaluation, rigorous physical agility test, psychological and psychiatric examinations, general physical and dental examinations, and drug tests.

The final screening yielded a total of 102 passers.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. graced the oath-taking ceremony that was marked as an embodiment of “unity and commitment to peace” by the national government, and a step forward in promoting inclusivity among the diverse communities of the country.

In his speech, Abalos encouraged the newly minted police officers to be “champions of good governance” and “exemplars of bravery and responsibility.”

“Dala ninyo ang uniporme ng Pambansang Pulisya ng Pilipinas, dala ninyo ang mukha ng gobyerno. Mabigat na hamon, pero kami ay nagtitiwala sa inyo (You now carry the uniform of the Philippine National Police, you carry the face of the government. It’s a big challenge but we trust in all of you),” Abalos said.

The DILG chief also encouraged the new PNP officers to fight criminality, injustice, abuse.

Meanwhile, PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia said the oath-taking of former rebels turned public servants was a result of the collective commitment to peace of the government and its various stakeholders.

He noted that the processes involved in putting into effect the provisions of Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law led to the incorporation of former MILF and MNLF members into the PNP.

“I want to thank our young Filipino Muslims for rejecting the path of radicalism, violent extremism, and terrorism, and for choosing the path of peace and public service,” Sermonia said.

Related Tags

Philippine National Police Bangsamoro PEACE PROCESS MNLF MILF
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