Seven decades of amnesty grants set free guerillas, coup plotters

From guerrilla fighters to rebel soldiers to first-time voters who failed to vote, various groups and individuals had been officially forgiven by virtue of presidential amnesty grants in the last seven decades.

Based on past presidential issuances and Senate records, GMA News Research learned that at least eight Philippine Presidents issued proclamations and orders granting amnesty between 1946 and 2010. Amnesty was offered for various specific crimes to give the target grantees a chance to start over. The presidential issuances also voiced similar hopes of fostering national unity.

Nearly 300 individuals availed of the most recent amnesty grant, which was issued a few months into the term of President Benigno Aquino III. Proclamation Nos. 50 and 75 in 2010 granted amnesty to active and former military and police personnel who admitted their involvement in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, the 2006 Marines stand-off, and the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege. Their civilian supporters were also covered by the proclamations.

Most of the applications, including that of Senator Trillanes IV, were approved. However, President Rodrigo Duterte has issued Proclamation No. 572 revoking the amnesty granted to Trillanes. This may very well be a novel case; GMA News Research has yet to encounter a similar proclamation in the case of the other previous amnesty grants.

President Manuel Roxas granted amnesty to members of the guerilla movement who committed crimes against Filipinos who aided the Japanese during the Japanese Occupation in the 1940s. Roxas's Proclamation No. 8, issued in 1946, called the guerillas "brave and patriotic men" who he said should no be prosecuted for their "heroic endeavors."

President Elpidio Quirino issued two proclamations in 1948 granting amnesty to leaders and members of the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap), led by its Supremo Luis Taruc, and Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid.

President Ferdinand Marcos had at least 10 proclamations issued between 1973 and 1978, when the country was under martial law. These granted amnesty not only to Muslim and communist rebels but also to people who failed to register and vote, including public school teachers and soldiers.

President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No. 80 in 1987, which granted amnesty to political prisoners. She also issued an executive order in 1989 providing guidelines in the processing of amnesty of rebel returnees.

President Fidel Ramos issued five proclamations on amnesty between 1992 and 1996. Proclamation No. 347 created a National Amnesty Commission, which processed more than 7,000 applications. Ramos's Proclamation No. 723 granted amnesty to members and supporters of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa-Soldiers of the Filipino People-Young Officers' Union.

In his short presidency, Joseph Estrada signed three amnesty-related proclamations, including Proclamation No. 390 granting amnesty to members and supporters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had only Proclamation No. 1377 in her nine-year presidency. It granted amnesty and provided for the issuance of "safe conduct passes" for members of CPP-NPA-NDF and other communist rebels. —NB, GMA News