Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 20, 2023): Serve and protect the people, Marcos tell ex-rebels-turned-cops
MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reminded the 102 former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels-turned-police officers to always remember their oath to serve and protect the Filipino people.
A photo released by the regional police in BARMM shows the 102 former MILF and MNLF rebels-turned-police officers. Of the 1,134 MILF and MNLF applicants, only 102 (52 were from MILF and 50 from MNLF) had passed the police examinations.
Marcos told the former rebels that their pledge of allegiance is not just for the Philippine National Police (PNP), but also for the public.
“The moment you take your oath, you pledge your allegiance not just to the Philippine National Police. You pledge your commitment and dedication to the public, to the Filipino people (whom) you promise to serve and protect,” he said.
“You will be issued with arms, which you will be using for the protection of the Filipinos; the arms of protection, which you will now use with the government and not against it. Because at the end of the day, we all have that one thing we aim to achieve – lasting peace and sustainable progress,” he added.
The recruits took their oath recently at the regional police headquarters at Camp Brig. Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun in Parang town here which Marcos considered as a “history in the making.”
The oath-taking and turnover ceremony marks the first PNP event with former rebels being sworn in to become members of the country’s police force as it also marks the successful implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, or Republic Act No. 11054.
“May this PNP uniform remind you of your mission to guard the vulnerable, be the champion of truth, and be that example of bravery and of responsibility,” Marcos said as he reminded the new police members that they are now the inspirations of former MILF and MNLF fighters.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos also called on the new police officers to become an inspiration of bravery and strength to attain lasting peace in Mindanao, as he assured the Bangsamoro Government of his support, as well as from the national government, and from the President.
“We have already taken steps towards attaining lasting peace in the region. Sama-sama tayo sa pagkamit ng pagkakaisa dito sa Mindanao. The DILG and the whole national government shall continue to implement programs that uplift the welfare of our people, ensuring that our Moro brothers will not be left behind,” Abalos said. “The national government shares the same dream of the Bangsamoro, for a peaceful community where everyone lives in peace and in harmony.’
Abalos also called on everyone’s support to attain lasting peace in Mindanao as he emphasized that peace and sustainable development can only be achieved when people are united.
Unfortunately, of the 1,134 MILF and MNLF applicants, only 102 (52 were from MILF and 50 were from MNLF) had passed the police examinations.
But for BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, the special entry of the MILF and MNLF members to the police force will be instrumental in ensuring there is peace and order in the region and its people are protected. “We are confident that this special set of new policemen and policewomen will contribute in protecting our citizens and ensuring peace and order in the region,” Ebrahim said, calling it “unprecedented historical ceremony.”
Ebrahim said the national government and the Bangsamoro government will explore the possibilities of providing further opportunities for MILF and MNLF members to join the PNP. “This will be done in conjunction with the continuing assertion of the full implementation of the normalization process. Needless to say, this aspect of the Bangsamoro peace process is crucial in sustaining the gains of peace,” Ebrahim said. (Mindanao Examiner. With reports from Johanie Mae Kusain and Bai Omairah Yusop)
Marcos told the former rebels that their pledge of allegiance is not just for the Philippine National Police (PNP), but also for the public.
“The moment you take your oath, you pledge your allegiance not just to the Philippine National Police. You pledge your commitment and dedication to the public, to the Filipino people (whom) you promise to serve and protect,” he said.
“You will be issued with arms, which you will be using for the protection of the Filipinos; the arms of protection, which you will now use with the government and not against it. Because at the end of the day, we all have that one thing we aim to achieve – lasting peace and sustainable progress,” he added.
The recruits took their oath recently at the regional police headquarters at Camp Brig. Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun in Parang town here which Marcos considered as a “history in the making.”
The oath-taking and turnover ceremony marks the first PNP event with former rebels being sworn in to become members of the country’s police force as it also marks the successful implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, or Republic Act No. 11054.
“May this PNP uniform remind you of your mission to guard the vulnerable, be the champion of truth, and be that example of bravery and of responsibility,” Marcos said as he reminded the new police members that they are now the inspirations of former MILF and MNLF fighters.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos also called on the new police officers to become an inspiration of bravery and strength to attain lasting peace in Mindanao, as he assured the Bangsamoro Government of his support, as well as from the national government, and from the President.
“We have already taken steps towards attaining lasting peace in the region. Sama-sama tayo sa pagkamit ng pagkakaisa dito sa Mindanao. The DILG and the whole national government shall continue to implement programs that uplift the welfare of our people, ensuring that our Moro brothers will not be left behind,” Abalos said. “The national government shares the same dream of the Bangsamoro, for a peaceful community where everyone lives in peace and in harmony.’
Abalos also called on everyone’s support to attain lasting peace in Mindanao as he emphasized that peace and sustainable development can only be achieved when people are united.
Unfortunately, of the 1,134 MILF and MNLF applicants, only 102 (52 were from MILF and 50 were from MNLF) had passed the police examinations.
But for BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, the special entry of the MILF and MNLF members to the police force will be instrumental in ensuring there is peace and order in the region and its people are protected. “We are confident that this special set of new policemen and policewomen will contribute in protecting our citizens and ensuring peace and order in the region,” Ebrahim said, calling it “unprecedented historical ceremony.”
Ebrahim said the national government and the Bangsamoro government will explore the possibilities of providing further opportunities for MILF and MNLF members to join the PNP. “This will be done in conjunction with the continuing assertion of the full implementation of the normalization process. Needless to say, this aspect of the Bangsamoro peace process is crucial in sustaining the gains of peace,” Ebrahim said. (Mindanao Examiner. With reports from Johanie Mae Kusain and Bai Omairah Yusop)
https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2023/08/serve-and-protect-people-marcos-tell-ex.html
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.