PNP willing to take in MILF fighters

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police on Wednesday expressed its willingness to welcome into its ranks Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters if the final peace agreement between the rebel group and the government would include such arrangement.

Chief Superintendent  Generoso Cerbo Jr., PNP spokesperson, said the police hierarchy would fully comply with the contents of the peace agreement, including the possible integration of MILF members with the PNP.

“If that would be part of our objective of realizing our dream of genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao, I don’t think there is problem with that,” Cerbo told reporters.

“We have found a common ground to deal with the secessionist group in that part of our country. We share the enthusiasm of our political leaders in this breakthrough,” Cerbo said.

He said welcoming MILF members to the police service may bring positive result “because this would mean more police personnel.”

“It’s also good that we will have personnel who understand and feel the real situation in their areas,” the PNP official said.

He said the scheduled signing of the framework agreement between the government and the MILF was a “necessary first step” in ending the decades-old violent Moro rebellion in Mindanao.

As to whether the MILF integrees should meet the minimum requirements for police applicants, Cerbo said the PNP would just defer to the policy as spelled out in the peace pact.

“We will have to check the final guidelines on that matter and obey the orders of the higher authorities. The bottom line here is that the PNP will do what it could to bring peace in Mindanao,” he said.

Cerbo also warned lawless elements that all police units in Mindanao were ready to carry out operations against groups and individuals who would try to sabotage the peace pact.

He said the PNP “will … perform its law enforcement mandate against lawless elements in Mindanao when the proposed framework agreement … is finally implemented.”

“We share the confidence of the Aquino administration that this proposed agreement will be inclusive and will put all former secessionist groups in Mindanao under the umbrella of Philippine sovereignty,” Cerbo said in a statement.

“Consistent with our commitment to support all initiatives for peace, the PNP will act decisively against any group that wish to sabotage or derail this peace agreement with the MILF.”