Moro rebels' integration into national police starts

From the Manila Times (Apr 15, 2022): Moro rebels' integration into national police starts (By Franz R. Sumangil)

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has begun its integration of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants in accordance with the Mindanao peace process, officials announced this week.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has signed an agreement with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for the Special Qualifying Eligibility Examination for the ex-MILF and MNLF members.

"After three years of the transition period, we are happy that we are finally taking the first step into making this provision a reality," BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim said.

In a videoconference Saturday last week, Ebrahim and Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Alberto Bernardo signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) on the integration process.

According to the agreement, the qualifying examinations for integration aspirants are set to be held on May 29 this year in the cities of Cotabato and Zamboanga.

Under the MoA, 5,060 successful examinees will be granted eligibility for temporary appointment as patrolman or patrolwoman of the PNP.

After signing the agreement, Ebrahim created an ad hoc office and designated Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua as its head to facilitate administrative support in the application process set forth by Napolcom.

Ebrahim, also the MILF chairman, lauded the Intergovernmental Relations Body Technical Working Group for the realization of the provision in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) allowing qualified former MILF and MNLF members to join the PNP.

The BOL, as the enabling law that created BARMM, provided for the integration of ex-Moro rebels into the PNP.

Macacua said the MILF and MNLF are now working together to come up with a list of qualified members who could avail of the integration program.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/04/15/news/regions/moro-rebels-integration-into-national-police-starts/1840082