‘Former Moro rebels can be integrated into Bangsamoro police’

MANILA, Philippines — Once the Bangsamoro region replaces the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), former rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front would be qualified to join the local police force in the new region, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said yesterday.

In a television interview, Zubiri, who heads the Senate contingent in the bicameral conference committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), said the rebels would have the option to fight for the state like other former MNLF fighters that were integrated to the military and police.

“This is not unique. We did this in the old organic act. As a matter of fact, the MNLF integrees are our best fighters in the AFP. They helped us in Marawi, they ran after the Abu Sayyaf,” Zubiri said, referring to the ARMM law.

“They did not ask for this. It’s a sweetener on our part. Combatants of the MNLF and MILF can join the PNP because we waived the requirements for height, weight, and education,” he added. – With Roel Pareño, Lino dela Cruz