MILF, MNLF combatants may join PNP

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Source:http://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/299225/milf-mnlf-combatants-may-join-pnp.html
Monday, July 8, 2019 1:20 am

(Manila Standard)

Former Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation combatants could become members of the Philippine National Police as long as they meet the requirements set by the National Police Commission.

This was agreed upon during a meeting on Friday between Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Bangsamoro Transition Authority Interim Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim and Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr.

Under the agreement, the government will be waiving the age and height requirements of the MILF and MNLF applicants.

“We welcome the admission of MILF and MNLF members to the police force, provided that they meet the general requirements in the national level, and of course we will waive some requirements to accommodate our Moro brothers,” Año said.

“You can actually start the identification of MILF and MNLF members who are qualified for the immediate recruitment so we can make this arrangement and start training.”

Major General Jonas Calleja, PNP Director for Plans, said his agency is in the process of drafting the memorandum circular to operationalize the arrangement.

“We’re preparing the draft memo circular and it’s stated there that only age and height may be waived, provided the educational attainment requirement shall be applied within 15 years,” he said.

Under Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the age, height and educational requirements of the ex-fighters may be waived by the NAPOLCOM.

The law also says those who want to be part of the police force should apply within five years from the ratification of the BOL, and that they should meet all the educational requirements within 15 years after joining the PNP.

On the appointment of the Police Regional Director for the BARMM, Año said his office “shall be getting the recommendation of the Chief Minister as long as these police officers are qualified.

“Rest assured that I will respect your preference, including the fire and jail directors for the BARMM.”

Ebrahim expressed his elation over the pronouncement, saying the former combatants will be given the chance to serve their communities and country.

The meeting also gave Año, Ebrahim and Galvez a chance to discuss ways to facilitate the smooth transition of the new Bangsamoro government, specifically the peace and security aspect of governance.

Año said the DILG “shall organize the PRO BARMM organization pursuant to NAPOLCOM Resolution 2019-009.”

“With that, we’ll also provide a regional police force battalion that can be used for special purposes. And for the provincial and police units, we also welcome the preference of the local government units under the BARMM,” he said.

Under the Normalization track, Galvez said at least 1,600 PNP members will be trained as members of the Joint Peace Security Teams.

They will help secure communities during the camp transformation and the decommissioning of 12,000 or 30 percent of MILF combatants which is expected to start by Sept. 7 this year.