THERE is no truth to the information being spread by an alleged member of the Moro National Liberation Front that former rebels are being recruited to the uniformed services without passing through the regular process, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Sec. Carlito Galvez yesterday said.
In a statement, Galvez condemned the disinformation spread by alleged MNLF governor general Sharief Edjal Alimuddin last February 27 in Cabatangan, Zamboanga City, that former MNLF members are being recruited to join the PNP and the armed forces.
He said such fake news caused anxiety and fear among the people of Zamboanga City and detrimental to the Final Peace Agreement signed by the government and the MNLF in 1996.
He said there is no ongoing “special recruitment process” for MNLF members who wish to join the PNP and AFP, saying, “if they want to join the PNP or AFP, they all have to undergo the regular recruitment process based on well-established criteria and qualifications.”
He said his office has reached out to the MNLF leadership under Chairman Nur Misuari to clarify the matter.
NOT AUTHORIZED
Galvez said the MNLF has issued a statement saying Alimuddin was not authorized to organize such a gathering and that it “disassociated itself from individuals who do things outside the ‘chain of command.’”
“Further, we have also coordinated with the authorities to investigate the alleged recruitment of individuals for the reintegration program,” Galvez said.
Galvez appealed to the people to be vigilant and not be swayed by promises or propaganda coming from such individuals or groups who misrepresent the interests of the MNLF.
“Let us work together to protect the GPH-MNLF process at all costs,” he added.
Aside from the MNLF, the government also signed a peace deal in 2014 with the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front after years of negotiations.
