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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Over 16K ex-rebels seek amnesty as deadline ends, says OPAPRU

Over 16K ex-rebels seek amnesty as deadline ends, says OPAPRU

Published Mar 21, 2026 02:48 pm
The Local Amnesty Board (LAB) of Catbalogan, Samar, together with the 803rd Infantry "Peacemaker" Brigade, holds a two-day orientation and intake session on March 5 to 6, 2026, for 279 former rebels from the 19th, 20th, 43rd, and 78th Infantry Battalions. (Photo: Local Amnesty Commission)
The Local Amnesty Board (LAB) of Catbalogan, Samar, together with the 803rd Infantry "Peacemaker" Brigade, holds a two-day orientation and intake session on March 5 to 6, 2026, for 279 former rebels from the 19th, 20th, 43rd, and 78th Infantry Battalions. (Photo: Local Amnesty Commission)
A total of 16,003 former rebels and ex-combatants applied for the national government’s amnesty program as the deadline set by President Marcos Jr. officially ended but calls for its extension continue to mount.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) said the majority of applicants belonged to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as 13,633 communist rebels beat the March 13 deadline and sought amnesty, citing data from the National Amnesty Commission (NAC).
Aside from the communist groups, 1,240 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters also applied for amnesty, as well as 646 Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members, and 484 applicants from the Kapatiran, formerly known as the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa–Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army–Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA-ABB).
OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the high turnout was a “turning point” in the country’s decades-long internal conflicts.
“This milestone reflects the desire of these former combatants to turn away from decades of armed struggle, embrace peace, and rebuild their lives,” he said.
The amnesty initiative serves as a cornerstone of the Marcos administration’s peace agenda as it aims to complement signed peace agreements and existing Transformation Programs, particularly in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao and rural Luzon.
It was in 2024 when Marcos instructed the immediate rollout of the amnesty program for the remaining rebels for crimes committed in pursuit of their political beliefs.
The NAC started accepting amnesty applications on March 4, 2024 after the Congress concurred with Marcos’s Proclamation Nos. 403, 405, and 406 which grant 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 had two years to file their applications with the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) near their area, which means that members of the RPMP-RPA-ABB, MILF, and MNLF may file their applications until March 4, 2026, while former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF or their front organizations may file their applications until March 13, 2026.
Galvez noted that the volume of applications served as a “symbol of trust and confidence” in the state and its peace endeavors.
“The sheer number of applications demonstrates trust in the government, trust in the peace process, and trust that former rebels and combatants have a chance to build a better and brighter future for themselves and their families,” Galvez stressed.
The geographic breakdown of the applications suggested a significant shift in regions once considered rebel bastions, he shared.
In Luzon, Isabela posted the highest number of applicants at 1,457, followed by 1,064 in Quezon Province, and 852 in Albay. Metro Manila, on the other hand, recorded 940 applications.
In Visayas, there was a massive surge in Catbalogan with 1,912 applications, representing the highest number in the region. Tacloban followed with 684, while Bacolod recorded 621 applications.
In Mindanao, the diversity of the applicants was most apparent as Butuan recorded 1,393 applicants while Cagayan de Oro had 1,289, representing a mix of communist-affiliated groups and Moro fronts.
In the Bangsamoro region, Cotabato City logged 572 applications, Basilan recorded 398 applicants, while in the island province of Sulu, 311 of the 334 recorded applicants came from the MNLF.
The OPAPRU said that the next phase of the program involves the rigorous processing of these applications. Once granted, beneficiaries are slated to receive livelihood assistance, education, and various socioeconomic support.
“Sixteen thousand and three individuals have chosen to walk the path of peace. Our task now is to make sure that choice leads to genuine and meaningful change not only for the amnesty applicants but for their families and communities,” Galvez said.
Meanwhile, NAC Chairperson Leah Tanodra-Armamento said a proposal to extend the amnesty period to 2028 is awaiting approval by Marcos.

Related Tags

OPAPRU NAC amnesty program CPP-NPA-NDF MILF MNLF Kapatiran
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