DILG chief urges MILF, MNLF police applicants to complete recruitment process

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos over the weekend urged the 803 remaining Philippine National Police (PNP) applicants who were former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members to complete the nameless-faceless recruitment process of the police organization.

"There will be frustrations, disappointments, pains, and a lot of sacrifices. But at the end of this process, your sacrifices will be equated with rewards and benefits. You will be wearing a legitimate and authorized uniform of the PNP. Balewala ang tagumpay kung hindi pinaghirapan," Abalos said during his visit at Camp Pendatun in Maguindanao del Norte.

"Itong nameless-faceless recruitment process ng PNP ay bahagi ng peace and security agenda ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. at higit sa lahat isang magandang pagkakataon kaya huwag kayong susuko," he added.

Out of the 1,279 total applicants for the second batch, 959 were able to proceed to the Body Mass Index phase which was further reduced to 851 for the Physical Agility Test (PAT) consisting of push-ups, sit-ups, and a 3-kilometer run. Of the 851, only 690 were able to proceed to the next phase of the Psychological and Psychiatric Exam (PPE).

The 690 applicants will be joined by the 113 remaining applicants from the first batch to hurdle four more steps before oath taking — CBI or Character and Background Investigation, PMDE or Physical, Mental and Dental Examinations, Drug Test, and Final Interview from 16 to 18 September 2023. The results will be released after 15 days.

The PNP Recruitment and Selection Service started processing the second batch of applicants for the entry of former MILF and MNLF members into the PNP on 9 September 2023.

Meanwhile, the DILG chief congratulated the 100 PNP recruits from the first batch of applicants last year and newly-appointed patrolmen who took their oath last 10 August 2023. He urged them to fulfill the last stretch of the 24-week intensive and progressive training Police Safety Basic Recruitment Course designed for newly-appointed police non-commissioned officers.

"(To the first batch), 11,000 sa inyo ang nag-take ng written exam. Kayo ay 100. That is 1 percent. You are the best of the best. Konti na lang ito, limang buwan na lang na training, and this will really hone your skills. Balewala na ito, dahil ang pinakamahirap na parte ay tinapos niyo na," Abalos said.

He said this would provide them with the basic knowledge and skills in police science, administration, combat operation, and tactics and for them to acquire the norms of conduct required in the performance of their jobs as patrolmen/patrolwomen.