Abalos visits BARMM to personally witness recruitment of MILF/MNLF police wannabes
INTERIOR Secretary Benhur Abalos on Wednesday flew to Maguindanao del Norte to personally witness the second batch of the recruitment process of police applicants who were former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
According to Abalos, his visit at the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s peace and security agenda covering all corners of the country.
In a ceremony held at Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PROBAR) at Camp Pendatun in Maguindanao del Norte, the DILG chief urged the MILF/MNLF applicants to become beacons of lasting peace and security in the region.
The recruitment of MILF/MNLF police wannabes is based on National Police Commission (Napolcom) Resolution 2023-0380 approving the recommendation of the PNP to allocate 400 slots in its recruitment to former members of the two groups.
Abalos expressed confidence that these recruits will be a big factor in everyone’s dream of lasting peace and progress in Mindanao.
“We all share the dream of lasting peace and sustainable progress in Mindanao. Once na pumasa kayo, kayo na ang simbolo ng peace talks. Kayo na ang simbolo ng BANGSAMORO at ng Republika ng Pilipinas at PNP. At kayo ang tatayo sa inyong mga lugar to ensure that there is indeed kapayapaan at katahimikan,” he said.
The entry of MILF and MNLF former members in the PNP is covered by Republic Act (RA) 11054 or the Organic Law for BARMM, which was enacted after the signing of a peace agreement between the government and the MILF.
At the time of his visit, Abalos personally saw 44 MNLF/MILF applicants undergo a 3-kilometer run as part of the Physical Agility Test, while 649 others prepare themselves for the Psychological and Psychiatric Exam (PPE).
Abalos encouraged the 102 newly-appointed PNP patrolmen from the first batch of MILF/MNLF applicants to persevere in the 24-week rigorous Police Safety Basic Recruitment Course on police science administration, combat operations, and tactics.