Police Reform: Mindanao Final Agreement
Implementations
Police Reform – 1996
As referenced above, the peace agreement refers to police reforms in several different sections. The main stipulations are two fold: (1) Integration of MNLF into the Philippine National Police (PNP); and (2) the creation of a new institution and police force: “the PNP Regional Command for the new Autonomous Region, which shall be the Special Regional Security Forces (SRSF) as referred to in Paragraph 8, Article III of the Tripoli Agreement.”
Integration of MNLF candidates into the Philippine National Police (PNP) did not begin in 1996. Neither the PNP Regional Command for the new Autonomous Region, nor the Special Regional Security Force (SRSF) were established in 1996.
Police Reform – 1997
Screening begins for applicants to be integrated into the PNP.1
Neither the PNP Regional Command for the new Autonomous Region, nor the Special Regional Security Force (SRSF) were established in 1997.
- Miriam Coronel Ferrer, “Integration of MNLF Forces into the PNP and AFP: Integration without Demobilization and Disarmament,” (Paper presented at the conference The GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement, Phase 1: Pains and Gains, Center for Integrative and Development Studies, University of the Philippines, November 10¬11, 1999).
Police Reform – 1998
In July of 1998, 496 out of 500 MNLF candidates completed PNP training. They were then formed into a Special Mobile Group after their graduation.2
Neither the PNP Regional Command for the new Autonomous Region, nor the Special Regional Security Forces (SRSF) were established in 1998.
Police Reform – 1999
A second batch of 479 and a third batch of 500 MNLF candidates are in training or waiting to begin training.2
Neither the PNP Regional Command for the new Autonomous Region, nor the Special Regional Security Forces (SRSF) were established in 1999.
Police Reform – 2000
Bertrand considers the integration of MNLF fighters into the PNP accomplished.3
Neither the PNP Regional Command for the new Autonomous Region, nor the Special Regional Security Forces (SRSF) were established in 2000.
- Jacques Bertrand, “Peace and Conflict in the Southern Philippines: Why the 1996 Peace Agreement Is Fragile,” Pacific Affairs 73, no. 1 (2000): 37-54.
Police Reform – 2001
Neither the PNP Regional Command for the new Autonomous Region, nor the Special Regional Security Forces (SRSF) were established in 2001.
Police Reform – 2002
Neither the PNP Regional Command for the new Autonomous Region, nor the Special Regional Security Forces (SRSF) were established in 2002.
Police Reform – 2003
Neither the PNP Regional Command for the new Autonomous Region, nor the Special Regional Security Forces (SRSF) were established in 2003.
Police Reform – 2004
Neither the PNP Regional Command for the new Autonomous Region, nor the Special Regional Security Forces (SRSF) were established in 2004.
Police Reform – 2005
Neither the PNP Regional Command for the new Autonomous Region, nor the Special Regional Security Forces (SRSF) were established in 2005.
***Postscript: On 26 October 2008, the regional assembly of the ARMM passed “RA Bill No. 72”, which finally established the SRSF or the Philippines National Police Force in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a provision to incorporate existing PNP units in ARMM, MNLF elements and other residents of the area who may be recruited into the SRSF. The bill was later reaffirmed or updated under MMA Act No. 287 in November 2011.4
- “Title V: Public Order and Security, Chapter 1: Philippine National Police Regional Command for the ARMM,” accessed August 24, 2012, http://armm.gov.ph/armm-content/uploads/2013/03/MMA%20Act%20No.%20287.pdf, 19.