An active member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has applied for an amnesty in Cotabato City under President Marcos Jr.'s Amnesty Program for members of rebel groups, making him the first to do so in the country and raising hopes that others will follow suit to cultivate an environment where peace will thrive in the once conflict-plagued Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The applicant, who was represented by his daughter, filed his amnesty application form last May 7, a week after the opening of the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Cotabato City.

He has a case on illegal possession of firearms and ammunition which is currently pending in court, according to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).

"When we learned about the amnesty program from the news, our first reaction was relief because our father, as a member of the MNLF, is entitled to avail the program of the government," said the rebel's daughter. Both their identities were withheld by the OPAPRU for security reasons.

She said her father is already on bail but could not personally appear before the LAB-Cotabato due to a health condition.

"But we are definitely hoping that he will no longer be convicted because of the guarantee of freedom that the amnesty provides," she added.

The government’s Amnesty Program aims to grant amnesty to members of rebel groups who have committed offenses punishable under the Revised Penal Code and special penal laws, among others, in furtherance of their political beliefs.

Members of the MNLF and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who wish to avail of the amnesty may apply to the National Amnesty Commission’s Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Cotabato with office located at CNX 2 Building, in front of Cotabato City Schools Division Office, Notre Dame Village, Rosary Heights VIII, Cotabato City.

They may also contact the office at the following numbers: Globe 0966 042 3621 and Smart 0962 288 6714.

President Marcos Jr. reiterated that the Amnesty Program will "create a climate conducive for peace and reconciliation, pave the way for former rebels to reintegrate into the society, and provide them access to government’s socio-economic services."

The LAB-Cotabato City serves as the frontline office of the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) in the Bangsamoro region.

NAC Chairperson Leah Tanodra-Armamento cited the agency's mandate to accept and process amnesty applications, recommend these applications to the Office of the President, and create a LAB in various provinces, cities, and municipalities as necessary.

Executive Order No. 125, Series of 2021, which President Marcos Jr. later amended with Executive Order No. 47, established the NAC under the previous Duterte administration.

Marcos Jr. signed Proclamations 403, 404, 405, and 406, which grant amnesty to members of the MILF, MNLF, Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), and former members or returnees of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) or their front organizations.

However, such amnesty proclamations, concurred by the House of Representatives, only cover crimes "in pursuit of political beliefs" such as but not limited to rebellion or insurrection; conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection; disloyalty of public officers or employees; inciting to rebellion or insurrection; sedition; conspiracy to commit sedition; and inciting to sedition; illegal assembly; illegal association; direct assault; indirect assault; resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person;

tumults and other disturbances of public order; unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances; alarms and scandals; illegal possession of firearms, ammunition or explosives, provided that these crimes or offenses were committed in furtherance of, incident to, or in connection with the crimes of rebellion or insurrection.

The proclamation also includes those charged, detained, or convicted of common crimes, but with substantial evidence to establish that they have actually committed the crimes in pursuit of political beliefs.