By MARTIN SADONGDONG
More than 500 amnesty applications for members of rebel and insurgent groups have been received by the National Amnesty Commission (NAC), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) disclosed on Monday, July 15.
As of July 12, the OPAPRU said that a total of 578 amnesty applications were received by the NAC through its nine existing local amnesty boards (LABs) nationwide.
Of this, a total of 497 were former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPPNPA- NDF); 46 are from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF); 33 are from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); and two are from the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB).
“The NAC and its LABs are currently verifying the information provided by the applicants to determine the merit of their applications. Only after this careful process will the NAC recommend to the President the granting of amnesty,” the NAC said.
Former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF were granted amnesty by President Marcos Jr. under Proclamation No. 404.
Meanwhile, members of the RPMP-RPA-ABB, MILF, and MNLF were granted amnesty under Proclamation Nos. 403, 405, and 406, respectively.
Under these proclamations issued on November 23, 2023, members of the rebel groups have two years to apply for amnesty.
Applications are filed with the LABs, which also handle the initial processing.
Currently, the NAC has established nine LABs and is in the process of setting up 10 additional local amnesty boards.
“The NAC expects that with more LABs being established in accessible cities or provinces, along with the issuance of Provisional Safe Conduct Passes for amnesty applicants, more rebels will be encouraged to return to the fold of the law, reunite with their families and friends, and restart a normal and peaceful life,” the commission noted.