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)
No comments:
Post a Comment