93 more former rebels seek amnesty

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 12, 2024): 93 more former rebels seek amnesty (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Ninety-three more former New People’s Army rebels in central and southern Negros have applied for amnesty.

The 93 former rebels were escorted on July 10 by the 94th Infantry Battalion and 303rd Infantry Brigade in facilitating the filing of amnesty before the Local Amnesty Board in Bacolod City.

They bring to 176 the total number of former rebels who have applied for government amnesty in Negros Occidental, from July 8 to 10.

On November 22, 2023, President Marcos issued Proclamations 403, 404, 405 and 406 granting amnesty to members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), CPP-NPA-NDF, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), respectively.

The application period for amnesty of the members of the RPMP-RPA-ABB, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and MNLF will be up to March 4, 2026, while the application period for the former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF will end on March 13, 2026.

As provided in Article VII, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution, the President shall have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all members of Congress.

The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) is looking forward to processing at least 20,000 amnesty applications of former rebels with the creation of more local amnesty boards.

Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79th Infantry Battalion commander, who also facilitated the filing of amnesty of 33 rebels that surrendered to his unit, said the amnesty program aims to provide reintegrated individuals involved in insurgent activities a chance to return to normal life, with the support of the community and government.

Calaoagan said the program has already seen a substantial number of applicants during its first phase, with many more expected to follow.*

https://visayandailystar.com/93-more-former-rebels-seek-amnesty/