PNP willing to accept rebel returnees

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said the police force is willing to accept rebel returnees who would want to serve as law enforcers, as long as they are “sincere and qualified.” (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said the police force is willing to accept rebel returnees who would want to serve as law enforcers, as long as they are “sincere and qualified.”

Dela Rosa, however, clarified that those who are interested in joining the PNP should meet the requirements needed to become a police officer, such as a college degree, a height of five feet and four inches for males and five feet and two inches for females, and an age limit not exceeding 30 years old.

“If they are sincere, if they want to be a policeman and they are qualified, why not?” dela Rosa said in a briefing over the weekend.

The top cop’s statement came after the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that the PNP, as well as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), are willing to open its doors to rebel returnees in connection with the effort to confidence building and convince them to change.

The PNP chief said that they are willing to absorb rebel returnees, especially if this would strengthen the PNP’s law enforcement function and its anti-insurgency operations.

Nonetheless, accepting former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) is not something new in the PNP.

“In fact, we have a lot of former NPA rebels who joined the police force after their surrender,” dela Rosa stressed.

Duterte last month assured that former members of the NPA who would have decided to go back to the government folds would be provided with free housing, livelihood, and free education for their children.

The President said that there are already 1,000 housing units in Talomo and Bangkal in Mindanao, which were supposed to be given to the military and police

“Get yourselves enlisted now because I’ll give the 1,000 units to you. You will have a house that comes complete with everything. There is a school as well. College education is free. So, I will just give you your allowance,” Duterte said, adding that he would look for an alternative house for the military.

As to the education of the former rebels’ children, Duterte explained that public universities and colleges are now offering free education, hence, they can enroll anytime.

Duterte also noted that the rebel returnees could avail the training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Of the 238 returnees who were welcomed by the Chief Executive, 26 became active political members, 60 were members of various armed NPA groups, and 152 were members of Militia ng Bayan.