Nearly 300 MILF, MNLF members sworn in as PNP personnel

A total of 294 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have taken their their oaths as members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

According to a statement from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the oath-taking ceremony was held Thursday at the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) Headquarters in SK Pendatun, Parang, Maguindanao.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., concurrently the chair of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), highlighted the fair recruitment process for the PNP, even for MILF and MNLF candidates.

"Walang pwedeng magsabi na ito ay palakasan. Walang pwedeng magsabi na ito ay binayaran. We made sure na hindi ganoon. Lahat kayo ay pinagpaguran niyo ito through [your own] merits," said Abalos.

(No one can say that anyone was given an undue advantage. No one can say that the achievements were paid. We made sure that it's not like that. All of you made it on your own merits.)

Qualifying exam

In compliance with the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the NAPOLCOM issued Resolution No. 2022-0081, "Prescribing NAPOLCOM Special Qualifying Eligibility (NSQE) as Appropriate Eligibility for Temporary Appointment to the Rank of Patrolman/Patrolwoman in the PNP for Members of the MILF and MNLF."

A total of 11,062 individuals registered for the NSQE, which was held on May 29.

Of the 7,145 passers, 2,183 were MNLF while 4,962 were MILF members.

Although 400 slots were allocated for PRO-BAR police personnel, only 102 made it to the final stages of NAPOLCOM's screening process. They comprised the first batch of PNP patrolmen and patrolwomen, who were sworn in on Aug. 10.

The PNP and NAPOLCOM re-opened the recruitment to fill the quota of 400 slots, and to give way for qualified MILF and MNLF members who wish to become police personnel.

Of the 294 MILF and MNLF members who were recently sworn in, 39 are women.

To serve and protect

BARMM Deputy Senior Minister Abdullah Cusain called on the new PNP personnel to do their best in their duties.

"As one of the byproducts of the Bangsamoro peace process, we look forward to seeing new members of the MILF and MNLF as part of the uniformed personnel," said Cusain.

"The oath that you took today as full-fledged members of the armed national police force of the country serves as a pledge of commitment and a symbol of your dedication to the common good, and to serve and protect every Bangsamoro and Filipino," he added.

For his part, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. said, "This ceremony symbolizes the government of the Philippines, MILF and MNLF's steadfast determination to pushing forward, building on and sustaining the gains of peace in the Bangsamoro."

"As the pioneering batch of MILF and MNLF members who will be joining the ranks of the PNP as full-fledged police officers, you are all trailblazers within your respective organizations. You have paved the way for your other comrades who wish to follow in your footsteps in the future," Galvez added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News