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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No truce despite amnesty to ex-rebels, insurgents -- AFP

No truce despite amnesty to ex-rebels, insurgents -- AFP

Published Nov 28, 2023 06:12 am
NPA.png
(File photo)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not declare a ceasefire with rebel and insurgent groups despite the grant of amnesty to them by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

This was the clarification made by AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar on Tuesday, Nov. 28, as he said the military's internal security operations especially against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) will continue.

Aguilar noted that a declaration of ceasefire was not part of Proclamation Nos. 403, 4040, 405, 406 signed by Marcos on Nov. 23 which granted amnesty to members of the CPP-NPA-NDF; Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB); Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

"That part was not discussed in the proclamation but the armed forces will continue to perform its function of protecting our people and that will mean subduing violence that is being propagated by this armed group," Aguilar said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

According to data from the AFP, the CPP-NPA-NDF's active strength has dwindled to 1,000 fighters, of which, around 400 of them have criminal cases.

"As we have counted, around 400 plus are facing criminal charges in court so these cases are the ones preventing them from surrendering because instead of going back to their families, they fear that they will go to jail. Of course, the coverage of the amnesty will only be for the offenses committed in furtherance of rebellion and not those that are personal in nature," Aguilar said.

The military spokesperson said the amnesty will "bring closure" to the country's five-decades-old conflict with the communist groups.

"If we will be successful in this amnesty program, I think we will be able to bring the peace in our country," Aguilar said.

Related Tags

AFP CPP-NPA-NDF CEASEFIRE amnesty program
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