Former MNLF, MILF fighters undergo police training

The Department of the Interior and Local Government disclosed on Thursday that the recruitment for the second batch of police applicants among former Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front has started.

This comes as DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. visited the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region at Camp Pendatun, Maguindanao del Norte on Wednesday to witness the recruitment process.

At least 44 MNLF/MILF applicants underwent a three-kilometer run as part of the Physical Agility Test while 649 others are now taking their Psychological and Psychiatric Exam.

Abalos urged the applicants "to become beacons of lasting peace and security in their region."

"We all share the dream of lasting peace and sustainable progress in Mindanao. Once you pass, you are now the symbol of the Bangsamoro and the Republic of the Philippines and PNP. And you will now be at the helm in your areas to ensure that there is indeed peace, security and serenity," Abalos said in a statement.

The recruitment was based on National Police Commission Resolution 2023-0380, which approved the recommendation of the PNP to allocate 400 slots in its recruitment to former members of the MILF and MNLF.

The entry of former MILF and MNLF members in the PNP is covered by Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for BARMM, which was enacted after the signing of a peace agreement between the government and the MILF.