MILF members won't automatically be in Bangsamoro police—Ferrer

Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will not automatically be absorbed into the Bangsamoro police force, government chief negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said on Thursday.

In a statement citing the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law now pending in Congress, Ferrer said a regular process will be followed in hiring police officers.

 

“It is not true that the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the armed component of the MILF, will be the future Bangsamoro police,” she said. 

 

Ferrer said the Philippine National Police (PNP) will still have a regional head in the future Bangsamoro region under its chain of command.

 

She added that a Bangsamoro Police Board would also be formed under the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).
 

The NAPOLCOM will ensure that the Bangsamoro Police Board performs its functions without abusing its authority.

 

“In the case of the NAPOLCOM, it shall continue to have administrative control and supervision [over the Bangsamoro police] with matters of hiring and recruitment of the Bangsamoro,” Ferrer said.

 

Meanwhile, other matters within the Bangsamoro police force will be subject to the PNP's authority. 

 

“Salaries, training and promotion of personnel, the acquisition of firearms and other adjunct services shall also remain under the PNP’s jurisdiction,” she added.

 

The Bangsamoro police shall be headed by a Police Director and assisted by at least two deputies with the rank of at least Police Chief Superintendent. —Andrei Medina/NB, GMA News