The Moro National Liberation Front Combatants Experiences on Integration to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police

Abstract

The study was conducted in order to identify important aspects of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Combatants experiences during the integration process in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine national Police. Specifically on defining the MNLF experiences reintegration without disarmament and demobilization and also assessing the elements that contributed to the integrees’ satisfaction in the integration process. The study was conducted at the cities of Cotabato, Marawi, and Tacurong and the municipalities of Parang, and Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. There were one hundred selected respondents coming from different units of the AFP and PNP. The descriptive qualitative method of research was employed. Interview and focus group discussion and document analysis were the principal techniques for data gathering. The interview guide schedule was used to gather data on respondents’ profile, problems encountered, and policy drawn from the study. Findings show that the experiences of the respondents particularly on emotional feelings during the selection process were excitement, apprehension, fear and surprise. Other experiences of the respondents during the selection process were hardship in obtaining and accessing of personal documents and lack of educational qualification. Methodologies of the training were easy for the MNLF integrees and they were satisfied with the performance of their trainers. Support from the national Government are Continuing Education Program, livelihood program, provision of arms, ammunition and other combat paraphernalia and training program. Finally, the peace brought about by the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) including MNLF integration, was only tentative. It was effective in the MNLF areas of South Western Mindanao not in MILF-controlled areas in central Mindanao.