MANILA, Philippines — At least 294 former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) took their oath as Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel on Thursday.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. welcomed the new policemen, 39 of them women, who will serve in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Abalos said the recruitment process was “transparent, stringent and fair,” noting that the new policemen were chosen based on their “own merits.”
BARMM Deputy Senior Minister Abdullah Cusain, who represented Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, commended the new PNP recruits as he urged them to become the “best public servants and exemplify the very best of duty, service, honor and justice.”
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez said the integration of the MILF and MNLF into the police force completes the cycle of the recruits from being former combatants to productive civilians and security force members as provided under the peace agreement.
Of the 11,062 who registered for the special qualifying eligibility examination of the National Police Commission on May 29, 2022, a total of 2,183 MNLF and 4,962 MILF members passed.
Applicants took the body mass index test, physical agility test as well as psychological, physical and dental examinations.
Of the 400 allotted for BARMM, an initial 102 applicants passed the screening process and took their oath on Aug. 10.