PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on former members of rebel fronts to join the country’s police force to serve and protect the country as an ally of the government.
The Chief Executive told the 102 former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members-turned police officers to live by their oath.
“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,” President Marcos said in a speech delivered by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.
“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 oath-taking of the former Muslim rebels marked the first PNP event where erstwhile rebels were sworn in to become members of the country’s police force, and help implement the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which the President dubbed as a “history in the making”.
Meanwhile, Abalos hailed the 102 new cops for being “an inspiration for bravery and strength” as the administration continues its pursuit for long-lasting peace in the Mindanao region.
“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,” President Marcos said.
“We’re all united to achieve peace here in 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,” he added.