President Marcos said the newly graduated police officers of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) can expect his relentless support as long they stay true to their duties of serving the people and maintaining peace and order in the region.

Marcos said this as he graced the graduation ceremony of the BPBRC Batch 2023-01 Classes Alpha-Bravo ‘BAKAS-LIPI’ (Bangsamorong Kapulisan, Sandigan ng Lipunang Pilipino) in Parang, Maguindanao on Monday, April 29.

In his speech, the President said a lot is expected from BARMM's new police officers as they will help chart the region's future. The graduating class consists of 100 trainees evenly divided between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) with 92 men and eight women.

"Napakalaki ng nakasalalay sa inyong bagong katungkulan dahil nasa kamay ninyo ang pagkamit ng ating patuloy na tagumpay (We expect a lot from you because achieving continued peace is in your hands)," he said.

"Simula ngayon, kahit saan man kayo ipadala, kayo ang kinatawan ng kaayusan at pagbabago na layon nating ipamana sa ating mga anak (Starting today, no matter where you are deployed, you represent the peace and change that we want to pass on to our children)," he added.

With this, Marcos assured the former Moro combatants of the national government's support as long as they stayed true to their duties, noting that a prosperous BARMM means a prosperous Philippines.

"Hangga't tunay at tapat kayo sa inyong mga tungkulin bilang miyembro ng kapulisan, buong-buo ang aking suporta sa inyo (As long you are faithful to your duty as members of the police force, I will fully support you)," he said.

"Magkatuwang tayo sa pagsisikap na mabigyan ang bawat Pilipino ng mapayapa at masaganang buhay (We are one in striving to give each Filipino and peaceful and prosperous life)," he added.

According to Malacañang, the former Moro combatants underwent a rigorous 23-week program that prepared them to carry out the crucial duties of the police force, with a primary focus on enforcing national laws and the specific regulations within the BARMM.

Their integration into the national police force is part of the provisions provided by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). The BOL also mandates waiving the age, height, and education attainment requirements to facilitate the entry of MILF and MNLF members into the police force.

While the new graduates will temporarily be appointed as patrolmen and patrolwomen under the decree of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), they must obtain a college degree within the next 15 years. This requirement aligns with the educational standards set by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for them to become permanent members of the police force.