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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'They're doing very good': Proud Abalos recalls integration of 400 rebels to the PNP

'They're doing very good': Proud Abalos recalls integration of 400 rebels to the PNP

Published Mar 13, 2025 10:08 am

At A Glance

  • Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Benhur Abalos can't help but beam with pride whenever he thinks about the hundreds of former rebels who are now working in the government as law enforcers.

IMG-74e7345673497cf6aa55294f713666d0-V.jpgBenhur Abalos (left, standing) (Mark Balmores/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Benhur Abalos can't help but beam with pride whenever he thinks about the hundreds of former rebels who are now working in the government as law enforcers.

From clashing woth soldiers and policemen, Abalos said around 400 rebels from the Moro Islamic and Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are now members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and assigned to various areas of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“Yung 400 na previous MILF and MNLF, pinamadali ko yan (I had the integration of the 400 ex-MILF and MNLF rebels hastened). That's in accordance with the peace process. I think it's one and a half years ago,” said Abalos who was then the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The integration of former MILF and MNLF fighters to the PNP is in line with Republic Act (RA) No. 11054, or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which was crafted after a lengthy peace agreement.

In June 2023, more than 11,000 MILF and MNLF fighters took the integration process but only around 400 of them were accepted. This was the number alloted to BARMM police recruitment.

Those accepted underwent a series of training programs to comply with the PNP regulations.

“Imagine, yung former rebels are now Philippine National Police. They're doing very good sa totoo lang (Imagine, the former rebels are now with the PNP. They're doing very good to be honest),” said Abalos.

The vision for lasting peace and the strong determination to achieve it is what Abalos intends to bring to the Senate. He underscored that peace and order were essential in achieving economic development.

Related Tags

Philippine National Police (PNP) Benhur Abalos matalinong boto 2025 MNLF Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas MILF
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