COTABATO CITY (30 May 2022) — “Napakasaya ko po na isa ako sa mga nabigyan ng oportunidad na makapag-exam kasi matagal ko narin pong pangarap maging pulis. Pero financially, mahirap kaya ‘di ako nakapag-aral maging pulis. Kahit hindi tayo pulis ay tumutulong naman tayo sa community. Pero mas lalo tayong mas makakatulong pa pag ganap na tayong pulis.”

(I am very happy that I am one of those who were given the opportunity to take the exam. Because I have long dreamed of becoming a police officer but it is financially difficult so I was not able to study to become a police officer. Even though we are not police officers, we help the community. But we can help even more when we are fully-fledged police officers.)

This was shared by Oting M. Otto, 33, after completing the National Police Commission’s (NAPOLCOM) Special Qualifying Eligibility Examination (NSQEE) on Sunday, May 29 in Cotabato City.

A member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from Sarangani Province, Oting is among the around 11,000 MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members who took the NSQEE.

The examination was held simultaneously in schools in Cotabato City for applicants coming from the mainland provinces, and in Lamitan City, Basilan for those residing in the island-provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“Maraming salamat sa kanilang lahat – sa government at MILF – na naganap ito. Dahil nabigyan ng pagkakataon, pati ang mga hindi nakapag-tapos pa na mag-aral, na mabigyan ng oportunidad na makapasa sa eligibility at isa na po ako doon. Ang lahat ng ito ay para sa aking pamilya at dalawang mga anak,” Otto said in the Maguindanaon dialect.

(Many thanks to all of them – in the government and MILF – that this [examination] happened. Because we were given the opportunity, as well as those who have not yet finished their studies, to be given the opportunity to pass the eligibility and I am one of them. It’s all for my family and two kids.)

Realizing commitments under the Bangsamoro peace agreements

Passing the NSQEE is among the requirements for qualified MILF and MNLF members to join the Philippine National Police (PNP). This is contained under Art. 11, Sec. 2 of RA 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which realizes the provisions contained in the political track under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

The CAB is the landmark peace agreement signed between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF in 2014. It has two tracks: the political and normalization tracks.

Article 11, Section 2, Paragraph 3 of the BOL states that:

“To facilitate entry into the PNP of MILF and MNLF members from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, the age, height and educational attainment requirements may be waived by the Napolcom, subject to existing rules and regulations: Provided, That such shall be availed of within a period of five (5) years from ratification of this Organic Law: Provided, further, That the requirement of educational attainment shall be complied within fifteen (15) years from their entry: Provided, finally, That their ranks and grades shall be subject to existing laws, rules and regulations governing the PNP.”

A total of 5,060 successful examinees will be granted eligibility for temporary appointment as patrolman or patrolwoman of the PNP as contained under NAPOLCOM Resolution No. 2022-0081 “Prescribing NSQE as Appropriate Eligibility for Temporary Appointment to the Rank of Patrolman/Patrolwoman in the PNP for members of the MILF and MNLF.”

Strengthening Bangsamoro security through Inter-governmental efforts

To assist the examinees prior to taking the NSQEE, the PNP National Headquarters through the Recruitment Service headed by PCol. Atty. Leonora Camarao, and the Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) spearheaded review classes from May 17 to 24 for around 4,000 MILF and MNLF members who were qualified to take the NSQEE. The review was conducted in batches at the PRO BAR Headquarters in Camp BGen Salipada K Pendatun, Parang, Maguindanao.

Review classes were also conducted at the Making Elementary School, Central Pilot Elementary School, Parang Elementary School, Mac-Ale Memorial Elementary School, and Amir Bara Lidasan National High School.

For Johanna A. Mohammad, a woman member of the MNLF who took the NSQEE, the support system provided by the national and BARMM governments were very helpful for the examinees.

“Maayos naman po ang pag-review at process namin hanggang sa pag-exam po namin. Maganda rin ang pag-assist nila sa amin. Maswerte po ako kasi isa po akong nabigyan nitong oportunidad po na ito para po masali po dito and sana po makapasa na rin po. Unang una po, para po ito sa pamilya ko at para rin po sa akin para po maabot ko rin po ang pangarap ko po,” Johanna said, as she prepared to leave the examination site.

(Our review and process was good until we were able to take the exam. They were also nice to assist us. I’m lucky because I was given this opportunity to participate in this and I hope I can pass as well. First of all, this is for my family and also for me so that I can also reach my dream.)

The BARMM government, in partnership with the NAPOLCOM and PNP, held a three-day orientation workshop last month in Cotabato City for MILF and MNLF commanders to brief them on the guidelines the applicants must comply with the PNP, as well as the requirements they need to submit for them to take the NSQEE.

The workshop was spearheaded by the Inter-Governmental Relations Body (IGRB), a multi-agency body that aims to coordinate and resolve issues between the national and BARMM governments through regular consultation and continuing negotiation in a non-adversarial manner.

Smooth, orderly conduct of NSQEE

PMGen Eden T. Ugale, chair of the GPH Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and member of the GPH Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC) visited the examination sites together with officials from the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) and the NAPOLCOM National and BARMM offices.

Ugale was accompanied by GPH Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) Operations Head Dave Jungco and Jeoffrey So representing CCCH Chair BGen. Antonio Nafarrete during the on-site monitoring to ensure the orderly and safe conduct of the examination.

“The GPH AHJAG commends the smooth and orderly conduct of the NSQE exam, which we owe much to the joint efforts of the national and Bangsamoro governments through the NAPOLCOM, PNP, DILG and other members of the Inter-Governmental Relations Body,” Ugale said.

“We are honored to be part of this process that will enable former MILF and MNLF combatants to serve their country as peacekeepers. And for the examinees who will pass the examination and meet the other requirements, congratulations as we whole-heartedly welcome you to the PNP,” he added.

Meanwhile, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. earlier expressed the national government’s full support to the MILF and MNLF members who wish to join the PNP.

“By joining the PNP, these MILF and MNLF members are not only demonstrating their commitment to return to mainstream society as peaceful and productive civilians, but also their desire to help ensure peace and security in their communities,” Galvez said.

“This is the legacy of peace that the Duterte Administration would like to leave behind, which we hope the incoming administration will sustain and continue to build on in the coming years,” Galvez added.

The BARMM government and NAPOLCOM signed on April 7, 2022 an agreement for qualified MILF and MNLF members to take the NSQEE.

After signing the MOA, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim created an ad hoc office headed by Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua that will provide administrative support to the application process set by the NAPOLCOM. ###