The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) is looking at the faster reintegration of former rebels back to mainstream society after the Senate concurred with the proclamations issued by President Marcos that grant amnesty to them.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. hailed the lawmakers after the Senate concurred with Presidential Proclamation 404 which grants amnesty to former members of the Communist Party of the Philippine – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and its front organizations last Wednesday, March 13.

The Senate had also adopted Presidential Proclamations 403, 405 and 406 on March 4 which grant amnesty to former members of the 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), respectively.

“The Senate’s concurrence to these proclamations marks another significant milestone in our continuing quest towards achieving a just and lasting peace in our beloved nation. Amnesty is an invaluable instrument for social justice, as it upholds the dignity of former rebels who have laid down their arms and returned to the folds of the law,” Galvez said on Thursday, March 14.

“By giving amnesty, we are opening a window of opportunity for former rebels to reintegrate into mainstream society as peaceful and productive individuals. This, in itself, is an act of compassion and reconciliation that will allow the healing of wounds caused by armed conflict, and break down the barriers of fear, animosity, and divisiveness among our people,” he added.

Following the development, Galvez said that the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) will issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the national government’s Amnesty Program. The NAC will then begin the implementation of the Amnesty Program by accepting applicants from the CPP-NPA-NDF, RPMP-RPA-ABB, MILF, and MNLF.

Galvez said granting amnesty to former enemies of the State “sends a clear and strong message of hope, compassion and reconciliation to those who wish to abandon armed struggle.”

“Amnesty demonstrates the government’s sincerity to uplift the conditions of former rebels, and most importantly, show them that good things come to those who choose to walk the path of peace,” the peace adviser emphasized.

Galvez thanked the lawmakers for their support to the Amnesty Program, particularly Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, chairperson of Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation; Risa Hontiveros, co-sponsor; and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

In a separate statement, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed conflict (NTF-ELCAC) expressed readiness to implement the government’s Amnesty Program.

“We are ready to implement the President's amnesty program in collaboration with relevant government agencies. We deeply appreciate the efforts of our Senators and Congressmen for their unwavering support of the President’s quest for genuine and lasting peace in our country,” Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., executive director of NTF-ELCAC, said.

He said peace dialogues and engagements should continue to address the root causes of the conflict even as the NTF ELCAC embraces the comprehensive approach to amnesty which “aligns with our commitment to building an inclusive and peaceful society.”

“By resolving the issues affecting the former rebels and providing them a path towards reconciliation, we facilitate the achievement of lasting peace and inclusive development for all Filipinos,” Torres stated.

It can be recalled that Marcos signed Executive Order (EO) No. 47 on Nov. 22, 2023 which amended EO 125 from 2021 and updated the National Amnesty Commission's (NAC) functions to include processing applications for amnesty under Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406.

On November 29, 2023, House Concurrent Resolutions Nos. 19, 20, 21, and 22 were introduced by House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other House leaders in support of Marcos’ amnesty proclamations for various rebel groups.

However, Torres explained that while amnesty provides a chance for redemption, it does not exempt individuals from accountability for grave offenses as it only includes politically-motivated crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and Special Penal laws.

He said the amnesty excludes crimes such as kidnap for ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism, crimes against chastity as defined in the RPC, crimes committed for personal gain, violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, grave violations of the Geneva Convention of 1949, genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearances, and other gross violations of human rights.