Former rebel group denies recruiting policemen in Mindanao

From the Philippine Star (Nov 11): Former rebel group denies recruiting policemen in Mindanao

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front ( MILF) today denied the reports that it was recruiting its own policemen in a new political entity to be set up in Mindanao under the newly signed peace framework agreement. Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF's peace panel secretariat, made the statement following reports that the group is recruiting policemen in Sulu, Zamboanga and Tawi-tawi. "How could the MILF recruit policemen when the issue of policing is yet to be discussed by the (peace talk) parties this month in Kuala Lumpur," said Mantawil, adding that the recruitment was done by people posing as MILF officials to make money. The MILF said in its website that victims are asked by those fake officials to pay P500 (about $12) for the application form and another $2,000 (about $48) for the approval of their application. MILF, the country's largest rebel group which has been pushing for an independent Islamic state in Mindanao, signed a peace framework agreement with the Philippine government on Oct.15.

http://www.philstar.com/breaking-news/2012/11/11/865182/former-rebel-group-denies-recruiting-policemen-mindanao