The country is seeking to be a “global model” for other nations for its successful efforts in addressing internal armed conflicts, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) said.
OPAPRU Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. made the remarks during the observance of the International Day of Peace, also officially known as World Peace Day, on Saturday, Sept. 21.
“The Philippines has been aspiring to be a potential global model for its success in resolving internal armed conflicts. For years, it has demonstrated that principled diplomacy and peaceful solutions are not only possible but essential for sustainable development and lasting harmony,” Galvez said in a statement.
President Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 404 last year which grant amnesty to rebels and insurgents to encourage them to return to the folds of law, and end their decades-long armed conflict with the government.
Covered by the said amnesty are crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal laws in furtherance of their political beliefs as committed by members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and their front organizations, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB).
Since then, nearly a thousand applications for amnesty were filed by former rebels to the Local Amnesty Boards (LABs) of the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) as of Sept. 4.
The OPAPRU encouraged every Filipino “to embrace a culture of peace, where dialogue, understanding, and cooperation are the cornerstones of our interactions.”
Galvez said the government will pursue a “principled and peaceful resolutions” to all internal armed conflicts as part of its national collective quest for a more just, equitable, and inclusive society for all Filipinos under the guidance of Marcos.
“Let us work together to address the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, inequality, and injustice, by shoring up peace investments to the countryside and vulnerable communities,” he noted.
The country celebrates the National Peace Consciousness Month this September with the theme “Transforming Minds, Transforming Lives,” underscoring the society’s commitment to transformation, which includes the continuing effort to bring positive change to the lives of former combatants, their families, and communities.