By GLAZYL MASCULINO
BACOLOD CITY – The Army 3rd Infantry Division reported that 300 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Western Visayas have applied for amnesty as of July 11.
FORMER New People’s Army (NPA) rebels apply for amnesty in Bacolod City. (Photo courtesy of 303rd IBde)
Bulk of applicants was on Negros Island with 210, followed by Panay Island with 90.
One-hundred seventy-five applicants were from the Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), 35 from the 302nd IBde, and 90 from the 301st IBde.
Under the 303rd IBde, 92 were from the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB), 53 from 79th IB, and 30 from 62nd IB.
For the 302nd IBde, 24 were from the 11th IB and 11 from the 15th IB.
Under the 301st IBde, 31 were from the 61st IB, 30 from 82nd IB, 20 from 12th IB, and nine from 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion (MIB).
Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, spokesperson of the Army 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said that applicants were former rebels who surrendered to the government since 2018.
Javines said amnesty may only be granted to former NPA rebels with offenses in pursuit of political beliefs such as rebellion, insurrection, scandal, and disturbance.
They may have a privilege to be granted amnesty by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., he added.
Javines said application for amnesty will be held from March this year to March 2026.
The Local Amnesty Board screen the applicants before they are recommended to the National Amnesty Council.