• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army reported that 300 former members of the New People’s Army in the islands of Negros and Panay, have filed their application for government amnesty, disclosed Army regional spokesperson Lt. Col. J- Jay Javines on Sunday.
Among the former rebels, a total of 210 are in Negros Island, and 90 in Panay.
Javines said the 210 former rebels in Negros were assisted by the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade in the filing amnesty applications before the Local Amnesty Board – Bacolod, from July 8 to 12.
The Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade also assisted 90 former rebels in Panay on their journey towards a life of peace through the national amnesty program, also by filing their amnesty applications on July 11 at Camp General Adriano Hernandez in Dingle, Iloilo.
In November last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No.47, amending Executive Order No. 125, series of 2021, or the Creation of the National Amnesty Commission to cover the processing of the applications for amnesty under Proclamations 403, 404 and 406.
These proclamations can grant amnesty to former rebels and insurgents who have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal laws in furtherance of their political beliefs.
Former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF who committed any act or omission in pursuit of political beliefs, including those detained, charged, or convicted for such acts or omissions, are covered by Proclamation 404 and may file an application for amnesty.
The crimes subject to amnesty, committed before November 22, 2023, include rebellion or insurrection, conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection, disloyalty of public officers or employees, inciting to rebellion or insurrection, sedition, and other crimes under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal laws.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Marion Sison,3rd Infantry Division commander, said that the willingness of former rebels to apply for amnesty is an affirmation of their readiness to forgive, seek forgiveness, understand, and embrace second chances, paving the way for establishing a harmonious and inclusive region with stable internal peace and security.
Sison also called on the remaining remnants of the NPA to lay down their arms, surrender, return to the folds of the law and the comfort of their families, and avail of the government’s amnesty program.*
