Malacañang has described President Marcos' Memorandum Order No. 36 allowing the issuance of sage conduct passes (SCPs) to amnesty applicants as a "powerful step" toward national healing and reconciliation.

"The move is expected to strengthen the government’s reintegration efforts for former combatants, by streamlining access to a more inclusive and secure amnesty process," it said.

Under the new order, the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) is authorized to issue SCPs that allow eligible amnesty applicants — specifically those not in detention — to safely and legally participate in the program.

These passes ensure applicants can engage in the process without fear of warrantless arrest while their safety and security are upheld by the government.

Marcos formalized the issuance of the SCP during a visit to Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, on April 11. He was joined by key officials including Army Brig. Gen. Gonzalo Siongco, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Abdularaof Macacua, and Special Assistant to the President Secretary Anton Lagdameo.

In his speech during the signing, the President emphasized the importance of unity and healing in the nation, noting that one of the saddest chapters in the country's history is Filipinos fighting amongst themselves.

Marcos described the signing of the MC as a testament to the administration's commitment to healing and reconciliation for former combatants, saying the SCPs would protect amnesty applicants and urge more rebels to return to the fold of the law.

"Ito ay isang paanyaya sa lahat ng rebelde na ihinto ang armadong pakikibaka (This is an invitation for all the rebels to stop the armed struggle)," he said.

The President emphasized that the government is open to those who want to change.

"Kung taos-puso ang inyong pagbabago, handa ang pamahalaan na makinig, umalalay, at sumuporta sa inyong pagbabalik-loob (If your change is sincere, the government is ready to listen, assist, and support your reintegration)," he said.

For his part, BARMM Interim Chief Macacua pledged to prioritize the decommissioning of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants.

He said that the creation of the BARMM has formally ended MILF's armed struggle against the Philippine government and has paved the way for full decommissioning.

Meanwhile, data from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) showed that over 16,551 New People’s Army (NPA) members have already benefitted from the government’s reintegration programs as of 2024.