From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 28, 2021): Velasco: House fully supports Duterte’s amnesty program for Muslim, communist rebels (By Hannah Torregoza)
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Sunday, March 28 assured that the House of Representatives is in full support of President Duterte’s amnesty program for Muslim and communist rebels who would choose to surrender to the government.
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco (Lord Allan Velasco’s Office / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Velasco made the assurance after the House Committees on Justice and National Defense and Security approved, last Wednesday four resolutions concurring with the proclamations Duterte has signed granting amnesty to members of four major rebel groups.
Velasco led the filing of House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) Numbers 12 to 15. According to the House leader, the granting of amnesty is “necessary for the general interest of the Philippines and the Filipino people” to achieve justice and long-term peace.
In February, Duterte issued Proclamation Nos. 1090 to 1093 granting amnesty to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), and the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) who have committed crimes in “furtherance of their political beliefs.”
“The amnesty program is a huge step towards achieving just and lasting peace in the country and giving former rebels a path back into civilian life,” Velasco said.
Congress, he said, shares the President’s view on the need to declare amnesty to MNLF members to promote an atmosphere conducive to the attainment of a just, comprehensive and enduring equanimity.
“Both Houses of Congress recognize that transforming MNLF members from armed combatants to productive citizens and peace partners is necessary to achieve the paramount ends of the peace process—national unity, solidarity and progress for all Filipinos,” he said.
He also said the creation of the National Amnesty Commission and the grant of amnesty in favor of MILF would fulfill the government’s commitment under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, particularly the gradual normalization of the previously conflict-affected areas.
“The amnesty will also provide a meaningful and complete transformation and assimilation of the MILF decommissioned combatants into peaceful and progressive lives towards national reconciliation and healing in the Bangsamoro,” he said.
In the case of the amnesty granted to RPMP-RPA-ABB and CTG, the House leader said lawmakers are in agreement with the Duterte government in “nurturing a climate conducive for peace” and tackling the root causes of armed conflict by balancing the delivery of basic services and social development packages in conflict-affected communities.
Duterte, in his proclamation, highlighted the need to reintegrate all rebels and insurgents into the mainstream society as soon as possible, including those who may have committed unlawful acts.
Under the proclamation, the amnesty will extinguish any criminal liability for acts committed in pursuit of political beliefs and restore political and civil rights which were lost due to criminal conviction.
However, the amnesty excludes kidnappings for ransom, massacres, rape, terrorism, drug trafficking, and certain crimes the United Nations deemed ineligible for amnesty including genocide, crimes against humanity and torture.
Velasco made the assurance after the House Committees on Justice and National Defense and Security approved, last Wednesday four resolutions concurring with the proclamations Duterte has signed granting amnesty to members of four major rebel groups.
Velasco led the filing of House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) Numbers 12 to 15. According to the House leader, the granting of amnesty is “necessary for the general interest of the Philippines and the Filipino people” to achieve justice and long-term peace.
In February, Duterte issued Proclamation Nos. 1090 to 1093 granting amnesty to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), and the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) who have committed crimes in “furtherance of their political beliefs.”
“The amnesty program is a huge step towards achieving just and lasting peace in the country and giving former rebels a path back into civilian life,” Velasco said.
Congress, he said, shares the President’s view on the need to declare amnesty to MNLF members to promote an atmosphere conducive to the attainment of a just, comprehensive and enduring equanimity.
“Both Houses of Congress recognize that transforming MNLF members from armed combatants to productive citizens and peace partners is necessary to achieve the paramount ends of the peace process—national unity, solidarity and progress for all Filipinos,” he said.
He also said the creation of the National Amnesty Commission and the grant of amnesty in favor of MILF would fulfill the government’s commitment under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, particularly the gradual normalization of the previously conflict-affected areas.
“The amnesty will also provide a meaningful and complete transformation and assimilation of the MILF decommissioned combatants into peaceful and progressive lives towards national reconciliation and healing in the Bangsamoro,” he said.
In the case of the amnesty granted to RPMP-RPA-ABB and CTG, the House leader said lawmakers are in agreement with the Duterte government in “nurturing a climate conducive for peace” and tackling the root causes of armed conflict by balancing the delivery of basic services and social development packages in conflict-affected communities.
Duterte, in his proclamation, highlighted the need to reintegrate all rebels and insurgents into the mainstream society as soon as possible, including those who may have committed unlawful acts.
Under the proclamation, the amnesty will extinguish any criminal liability for acts committed in pursuit of political beliefs and restore political and civil rights which were lost due to criminal conviction.
However, the amnesty excludes kidnappings for ransom, massacres, rape, terrorism, drug trafficking, and certain crimes the United Nations deemed ineligible for amnesty including genocide, crimes against humanity and torture.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/03/28/velasco-house-fully-supports-dutertes-amnesty-program-for-muslim-communist-rebels/
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