CPP-NPA-NDF amnesty being given at the right time -AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) believed that it was the right time for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to grant former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) amnesty.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday, AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar said the CPP-NPA-NDF had only over 1,000 members left, and about 400 of them were facing charges.

Aguilar added that it would greatly help the country attain peace if these rebels availed of the amnesty. 

“Sa CPP-NPA-NDF, ngayon lang ito nagkaroon uli ng declaration. Kasi ‘yung naunang declaration noong panahon ni Presidente [Rodrigo] Duterte, hindi nag-concur ang Congress kaya hindi ito napatupad. Ngayon sa panahon ng ating Pangulo, naglagay uli siya ng declaration ng amnesty para sa CPP-NPA-NDF kasi ito ay nasa tamang panahon, at the same time nakikita ang paghina ng CPP-NPA,” Aguilar explained.

(This is the only time they've again declared an amnesty for the CPP-NPA-NDF. During the time of former President Duterte, Congress did not concur. So, the previous declaration was not implemented. With Marcos as president, an amnesty for the CPP-NPA-NDF was declared again because it is an opportune time. And at the same time, we see that they are weakening.)

Aside from the CPP-NPA-NDF, Marcos also granted amnesty to former members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Despite the amnesty, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Philippine government remained alert against terrorism and extremism.

“Because as you know, worldwide, the reiterations, the modifications, the number of extremist potential is still there. We cannot take it lightly,” Teodoro said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News