NAC to create more local boards as only 28 formally applied for amnesty

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 31, 2024): NAC to create more local boards as only 28 formally applied for amnesty (By: Gabriel Pabico Lalu)

MANILA, Philippines — The National Amnesty Commission (NAC), the body tasked to receive amnesty applications from former rebels, is looking to create more local boards as only 28 individuals have formally applied to the program.

In an interview with PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, NAC Chairperson Leah Tanodra-Armamento said that they have only received 28 hard copies of applications, but they are expecting to receive 20,000 applications by the time all local amnesty boards have been established.

There are nine established local amnesty boards as of now.

However, Tanodra-Armamento said another way to address the low turnout of applicants is by visiting detention facilities to talk to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who were former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, and the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and other rebel organizations.

“So far, ang natanggap namin na talagang hard copy ng application is only 28, but we are going to places of detention kasi marami nang nandoon ang gusto mag-apply for amnesty. So we are looking forward na by the time na ma-establish namin ang lahat ng ating local amnesty board, at least maka-process na kami ng halos mga kalahati siguro, mga 20,000 ng mga applicants,” she said.

(So far, we have received 28 hard copies of the application, but we are going to places of detention because many people there want to apply for amnesty. So, we expect that by the time all our local amnesty boards are established, at least we can process around half of it, around 20,000 applicants.)

“Sa ngayon, siyam ang duly established na na local amnesty board natin at very, very active sila. Sila ‘yong mga nag-eenage sa ating mga persons deprived of liberty, ‘yong mga nasa kulungan, sila ‘yong mga dumadalaw at sila din ang nakikipag-usap sa ating security sector, sa mga pulis natin, at sa mga military natin” she added.

(As of now, there are nine duly established local amnesty boards, and they are very, very active. They are the ones engaging with our PDLs. They visit the PDLs and talk with our security sector, our police officers, and our military personnel.)

An additional 10 local boards may be established now that Congress has agreed with the call to give amnesty to former rebels.

“Sila ang nag-oorganize (The local boards organize talks). But we are still looking forward to establish [an] additional 10 local amnesty boards because of the concurrence of Congress on the proclamations granting amnesty to former rebels of the CPP-NPA-NDF under front organizations,” she noted.

Last November 22, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a series of proclamations granting amnesty to communist and Moro secessionist rebels, even if peace agreements have been signed or are being pursued by the government with these groups.

Aside from the CPP-NPA-NDF, the proclamations from Marcos offered amnesty to certain members of the following groups:

Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-RPA-ABB)
Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Moro National Liberation Front

READ: Like predecessors, Bongbong Marcos offers amnesty to rebels

In early May, NAC Commissioner Nasser Marohomsalic of the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) said they expect 10,000 applicants to the amnesty program, with the bulk coming from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and leftist groups.

Partnership with NCMF

Tanodra-Armamento also said NAC hopes that a partnership with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) may help spread the message about the government’s amnesty offer since there are times when the national government cannot reach far-flung areas.

“The goal of this program is for the [NCMF] to help us disseminate information regarding amnesty. Because there are places in Mindanao which we cannot reach, there are areas where there is no telephone signal, or even communities that have no access to radios or television channels,” she said.

“So they would help us to reach our fellow Filipinos who rebelled against the government, in case they want to apply for amnesty. So it’s them (NCMF) who would popularize the amnesty program of our government,” she added.

This would greatly boost the program because Moro separatists trust the NCMF more, Tanodra-Armamento said.

“This would be a big help because the NCMF can reach our Muslim Filipino brothers and sisters because of course, they have the trust of our Muslim communities,” she admitted.

“So they can help us and guide us, reach out to these Muslim Filipinos, eventually, if we can get a majority of our members of the MILF and MNLF to apply for amnesty, then at least we can achieve goal of the government’s program towards peace,” she added.

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