As the country prepares to commemorate the Peace Month in September, the government said on Saturday, Aug. 31, that it expects more members of rebel groups to apply for amnesty.
OPAPRU Directors Dennis Legaspi and Wally Tee speak during the Saturday News Forum held in Quezon City on Aug. 31, 2024. (OPAPRU photo)
Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Director Darwin Wally Wee for Communications and Public Affairs Services spoke in a media forum held in Quezon City, where he shared about the Marcos administration’s progress in achieving peace with rebel groups.
“Ang amnesty kasi, it obliterates your previous sins, sins na borne out of your political struggle or cause naman; hindi covered iyong mga heinous crime po (The amnesty obliterates your previous sins, sins borne out of your political struggle or cause; heinous crimes are not covered),” he explained.
The official reported that the latest data showed some 794 applications for amnesty.
The number included members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the New People’s Army (NPA).
“But, as we progress, we expect more to come,” Wee added, citing OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez who earlier said that he expects 1,000 to 3,000 rebels to apply for amnesty.
The amnesty process also restores the former militants the right to vote and seek public office.
“If they want to run, they need to be amnestied kasi (because) if you undergo yourself sa proseso na iyan, maibabalik ulit iyong mga usual rights ninyo po like iyong sa pagdyu-join ng election (in that process, your usual rights like joining election will be restored),” Wee explained.
In fact, he said that even known MILF leader Abdullah Macapaar, or “Commander Bravo,” already expressed his intention to seek amnesty.
But asked about Macapaar current cases, the official replied that it would be up to the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) to decide on it.
Wee also shared that a total of 1,996 firearms from the MNLF have been documented while 1,963 combatants have already completed the socioeconomic profiling, which will give them access to government services.
On Monday, Sept. 2, President Marcos himself will officially open the National Peace Consciousness Month in Malacañang.
He will also lead the commemoration of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the government and the MNLF, whose leaders are expected to "express their support on the President’s Bangsamoro peace agenda," according to Wee.
Proclamation No. 675, issued by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, declared the month of September as National Peace Consciousness Month.
The theme for this year's celebration is Transforming Minds, Transforming Lives.
"Our theme focuses on transforming minds, transforming lives. Why? Because we are no longer in a negotiation phase, we are already implementing all signed peace agreements," Wee said.
"So, at the center of the implementation of the peace agreements is the transformation of the lives of the former combatants, their families and their communities," he added.