House backs Duterte's move to grant amnesty to rebel groups

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on Sunday assured the chamber's swift adoption of four measures granting amnesty to members of four rebel groups.

The measures were in support of President Rodrigo Duterte's move to grant amnesty to members of communist groups and other rebel organizations who committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal Laws in connection with their political beliefs.

Romualdez, along with Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and House Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano, filed four concurrent resolutions which were referred to the House Committees on Justice and on National Defense last week.

House Concurrent Resolutions 12, 13, 14, and 15 respectively support the grant of amnesty to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), and the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).

“We are one with President Rody Duterte’s efforts to attain peace and reconciliation in the country. We recognize this crucial need to accept the request of former combatants for amnesty so we could further stabilize our country and move towards healing, reconciliation, and reintegration,” Romualdez said in a statement.

“We commit that the House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, will work towards the timely adoption of these amnesty resolutions in line with the government’s peace program,” he added.

The amnesty, outlined in Presidential Proclamations 1090, 1091, 1092, and 1093, covers the following crimes committed by the said rebel groups:

• rebellion/insurrection
• conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection
• disloyalty to public officers or employees
• inciting to rebellion or insurrection
• sedition
• conspiracy to commit sedition
• inciting to sedition
• illegal assembly
• illegal association
• direct assault
• indirect assault, among others.

The presidential proclamations said the amnesty was in accordance with the peace policy of the Philippine government.

Under Section 19, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, the President is allowed to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all members of Congress.

The grant of amnesty essentially extinguishes any criminal liability that a person has committed in pursuit of political beliefs, without prejudice to his or her civil liability for injuries or damages caused to private persons.

It will also restore the grantee’s civil or political rights suspended or lost due to a criminal conviction.

“At a difficult time like this, promoting an atmosphere conducive to the attainment of a just, comprehensive and enduring equanimity is a must as the government also works towards improving basic social services and progress,” Romualdez said. — DVM, GMA News