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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PBBM's granting of amnesty to rebels, insurgents hailed

PBBM's granting of amnesty to rebels, insurgents hailed

Published Nov 24, 2023 05:53 am
60 ex-rebels in Butuan get P1.2M gov't aid
(File photo)

The granting of amnesty to rebels and insurgent groups by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is a step closer towards the realization of peace, and the nearing end of the country's insurgency problem and 55-year-long communist rebellion in the country.

Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said this Friday, Nov. 24, following the announcement of the Palace that Marcos has issued Proclamations 403, 404, 405, and 406 which granted amnesty to rebels and insurgents to encourage them to return to the folds of the law. 

"It's a step towards, if not cessation, reducing the amount of ostensible support that they have. Nevertheless, we remain very alert on all forces of extremism and terrorism because as you know worldwide, the reiterations, the modifications, the number of extremist potential is still there. We cannot take it lightly," Teodoro said.

According to Malacañang, Marcos signed Proclamation No. 403 which granted amnesty to the members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB); Proclamation No. 404 for former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF); and Proclamation Nos. 405 and 406 for members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Executive Order (EO) No. 47 was also signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin to amend EO No. 125, series of 2021, or the Creation of the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) which is needed to cover the processing of the applications for amnesty under the new proclamations.

The defense chief said the concurrence of the Congress is needed for the ratification of the amnesty. 

"Sa aking pagkakaalam, bubuuin na naman 'yung National Amnesty Commission para ma-vet 'yung mga qualified recipients ng amnesty and the OPAPRU will be there to provide the post-amnesty for them -- reintegration, livelihood and the like (As far as I know, the National Amnesty Commission will be established again to vet the qualified recipients under the amnesty and the [Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity] will be there to provide post-amnesty [interventions] for them -- reintegration, livelihood, and the like)," Teodoro said.

"Marami din ayaw magsurrender dahil may existing warrants of arrest sila (A lot of them don't want to surrender because they have existing warrants of arrest) so it's really complementary to this, provided they are bonafide members of the organizations that are mentioned in the amnesty proclamation. Let's remember, this was a SONA [State of the National Address] promise of the President)," he added.

Meanwhile, the government's anti-communist task force believes the amnesty will serve as a "a bridge" between government forces and enemies of the state "toward healing and reintegration for individuals who once stood on opposing sides of armed conflict."

"This is the moment that we all have been praying for our brothers and sisters who were blinded by their lost causes, particularly the CPP-NPA-NDF and the RPMP to be formally reintegrated into mainstream society," Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., executive director of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said.

"In issuing these Amnesty Proclamations, the President recognizes the complexity of our nation's history and the diverse narratives that have shaped it. The amnesty initiative seeks to weave together the threads of justice, reconciliation, understanding, unity, and progress, transcending past grievances towards a shared vision of a unified and peaceful Philippines," he added.

Torres urged the remaining members of the CPP-NPA-NDF, which have waged communist rebellion against the government for 55 years already, and other insurgents to "give up the armed struggle and formally return to the folds of the law." 

"Let us move forward together, transcending past conflicts and differences, towards a future where peace reigns supreme. Our collective efforts today lay the groundwork for a more cohesive and prosperous Philippines tomorrow," he said.

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