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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider NAC processes 2,772 amnesty applications from ex-rebels

NAC processes 2,772 amnesty applications from ex-rebels

Published May 24, 2025 03:31 pm
Former rebels attend an amnesty forum hosted by the Philippine Army's 702nd Infantry Brigade at the 7th Civil Military Operation Battalion Headquarters in Camp Servillano Aquino, San Miguel, Tarlac City on May 14, 2025. The event aimed to support former rebels as they transition to a peaceful and productive civilian life. (Photo: 702nd Infantry Brigade)
Former rebels attend an amnesty forum hosted by the Philippine Army's 702nd Infantry Brigade at the 7th Civil Military Operation Battalion Headquarters in Camp Servillano Aquino, San Miguel, Tarlac City on May 14, 2025. The event aimed to support former rebels as they transition to a peaceful and productive civilian life. (Photo: 702nd Infantry Brigade)

A total of 2,772 former rebels from different parts of the country have filed amnesty applications with the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) through the local amnesty boards (LABs), government data showed Friday, May 23.

The NAC reported that 1,858 former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) applied for amnesty to have their criminal liabilities for past political offenses removed, making them the largest group of applicants.

Meanwhile, 545 ex-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and 303 ex-Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters also submitted their applications. 

Sixty-six former members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) also submitted amnesty applications as part of their efforts to start their lives anew.

(Courtesy of National Amnesty Commission)
(Courtesy of National Amnesty Commission)

The LAB in Catbalogan City in Samar province registered the highest number of applicants with 378, followed by the LAB-National Capital Region (NCR) with 282; LAB-Bacolod with 262; and LAB-Pagadian with 243.

The LAB-Basilan also logged 241 applications; LAB-Cotabato with 240; LAB-Davao with 236; and LAB-Iloilo with 218.

The NAC started accepting amnesty applications on March 4, 2024 after Congress concurred with President Marcos Jr.’s Proclamation Nos. 403, 405, and 406 which granted amnesty to members of RPMP-RPA-ABB, MILF, and MNLF respectively. Meanwhile, Proclamation No. 404 which grants amnesty to members of CPP-NPA-NDF was concurred on March 13, 2024.

Applicants have two years to file their applications with the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) near their area. 

Former members of the RPMP-RPA-ABB, MILF, and MNLF may file their application until March 4, 2026, while former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF or their front organizations may file their application until March 13, 2026.

Amnesty forum in Butuan

To encourage more former rebels to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law by availing of the government’s amnesty program, the LAB in Butuan organized its first amnesty program forum last Thursday.

The forum highlighted the importance of collaboration and community involvement in promoting and sustaining peace.

Agusan del Norte Governor Ma. Angel Rosedell M. Amante-Matba, who was among the participants in the said activity, expressed the local government’s intent to bring the amnesty program’s goals to fruition.

“What I want to happen [is] that we will be able to deliver the commitment of the government because we ask them (former rebels) to come back to government,” the governor said. “We want a LAB that is optimally functioning so they (former rebels) can go back to having normal lives.”

Amante-Matba committed her full support to the amnesty program by accepting to chair the LAB, and providing office space, office equipment, and when necessary, additional manpower and other support.

Related Tags

amnesty former rebels CPP-NPA-NDF MILF MNLF RPMP-RPA-ABB National Amnesty Commission
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