BARMM hires 294 new cops who used to be MILF and MNLF members

HISTORIC The integration of 102 former Moro rebels into Philippine National Police, as mandated by a peace deal with government, has been described as historic for Bangsamoro region. The police recruits are shown here with Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and other police officials during their oath-taking rites at Camp SK Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, on August 10, 2023. (File photo from PRO – BARMM)

MANILA, Philippines — Almost 300 former members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have passed the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) police recruitment process.

They recently took their oaths as new policemen.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. led the oath-taking ceremonies of 255 male and 39 female recruits.

They are set to join the Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region based in Camp Pendatun, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.

After the oath-taking, the 294 new recruits will undergo a six-month field training.

The new cops partially fill up the 400 slots of MILF and MNLF recruitment program for this year.

Before they were recruited, the applicants had to pass the special qualifying examination and physical agility test for law enforcers.

Additionally, they also passed the comprehensive medical assessment, including psychological and psychiatric examinations and drug tests.

“The entry of former MILF and MNLF members into the PNP is covered by Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which was enacted after the signing of a peace agreement between the government and the MILF,” the police regional office said in a statement.

On August 10, the first batch consisting of 102 recruits took their oath and they now serve as PNP members.