Over 7,000 rebels applied for amnesty – NAC

More than 7,000 rebels from various armed groups have applied for amnesty as of January this year, the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) said on Wednesday.

NAC said most of the applications came from members of communist rebel groups.

“As of January 26 of this year, the total number of applications we have received is 7,758. The majority—6,235—are from the CPP-NPA-NDF group,” said NAC chairperson Leah Tanodra-Armamento, referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front.

“This is followed by the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) with 1,001 applicants, the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) with fewer than 500, and the RPMP-RPA-ABB with 92,” she added in an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

RPMP-RPA-ABB refers to the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. granted amnesty to rebel groups in 2023 through Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406, covering the CPP-NPA-NDF, MNLF, MILF, and the RPMP-RPA-ABB.

The scope of amnesty varies per group, according to the NAC. For former CPP-NPA-NDF members and their front organizations, amnesty covers crimes committed in pursuit of political beliefs, whether punishable under the Revised Penal Code or special penal laws.

For the MILF and MNLF, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said members who committed acts or omissions in pursuit of political beliefs may file applications for amnesty.

The NAC also said applicants who are not in detention may apply for a safe conduct pass, which provides temporary protection and safe passage while their applications are under review by the Office of the President.

“This is a big deal because once you are granted a safe conduct pass, the service of your warrant of arrest will be put on hold,” Tanodra-Armamento said.

“You can move around as if you do not have a warrant, allowing you to file your application and complete the documentary requirements so your amnesty application can proceed,” she added.

Tanodra-Armamento said the policy also addresses humanitarian concerns, especially for elderly applicants.

“There is a humanitarian factor here. Some of our applicants are already elderly and need to go to doctors, hospitals, or visit family members,” she said.

The NAC said the deadline for amnesty applications is March 4 for RPMP-RPA-ABB, MILF, and MNLF applicants, and March 13 for CPP-NPA-NDF applicants. —MCG, GMA Integrated News