OPAPP asks peace groups for parameters, recommendations on granting amnesty to rebels

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is encouraging conflict resolution platforms to give recommendations on the granting of amnesty to rebels.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. made the request Wednesday as he welcomed the creation of the National Amnesty Commission.

“I am requesting the various peace tables to already prepare the parameters and come up with recommendations on the implementation of the amnesty proclamation,” Galvez said in a statement.

“With the establishment of the National Amnesty Commission, these former rebels will be able to make the complete transition to peaceful, law-abiding and productive citizens.”

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an executive order to establish the commission that will evaluate the amnesty applications of individuals facing criminal charges.

The executive order has been sent to Congress for endorsement.

Galvez said the commission will cover the applications for amnesty of members of all rebels groups like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front , Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), among others.

According to OPAPP, the amnesty is a part of the Normalization Track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the MILF.

Galvez encouraged members of the CPP-NPA to take advantage of the amnesty program.

"I call on members of the communist group who are still hiding in the mountains to use the amnesty program as an opportunity to turn away from armed violence and become instruments of peace and development in their communities'" Galvez said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News