The Senate approved on Monday, Jan. 24 three House concurring resolutions granting amnesty to members of two Muslim rebel groups and the Rebolusyunaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade.
With 18 affirmative votes, no negative vote, the Senate gave its approval to House Concurrent Resolution No. 12 dated February 5, 2021 granting amnesty to members of the Moro islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and other special penal laws in pursuit of their political beliefs.
With the same 18 ‘’yes’’ votes, the Senate also passed House concurrent Resolution No. 13 granting amnesty to members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Likewise, the Upper House approved House Concurring Resolution No. 14 dated February 5, 2021 granting amnesty to qualified members of the Rebolusyunaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade.
The approval of the three House resolutions was sought by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, chairman of the Senate National Defense and Security committee.
Lacson told his colleagues that the Lower House has approved the three resolutions.
He said there were 7,600 applicants for the amnesty grant.
Lacson said the grant of amnesty is an act of compassion and a time to heal wounds.
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco described the latest amnesty grant as a “significant milestone toward reconciliation and lasting peace in the country.”
“We are one with President Duterte in his noble desire to give Muslim and communist insurgents a second chance at life,” the Marinduque congressman said
“Accepting these rebels back into the folds of the law through amnesty and eventually providing them access to government’s existing socioeconomic services are essential to attaining peace and reconciliation in the country,” he pointed out.
In his proclamations, President Duterte said there is a need to reintegrate as soon as possible all rebels and insurgents into mainstream society under the rule of law, including those who may have committed unlawful acts/
The amnesty “shall extinguish any criminal liability for acts committed in pursuit of political beliefs” and restore political and civil rights lost due to criminal conviction, the proclamations stated.
However, the amnesty would not cover kidnappings for ransom, massacres, rape, terrorism, drug trafficking and certain crimes the United Nations says should never be covered by amnesties such as genocide, crimes against humanity and torture.
An amnesty commission will be created to receive and process applications for amnesty and determine whether applicants are entitled to reprieve under the proclamations.
===30-=-=