• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Nine more former members of the New People’s Army in northern Negros applied for amnesty on Wednesday, before the National Amnesty Commission (NAC), through the Local Amnesty Board (LAB)-Bacolod.
The nine former rebels were assisted by the 79th Infantry Battalion in the filing for amnesty, which was processed by the members of LAB-Bacolod, who personally went to the 79IB headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City.
In July this year, the 79IB also helped 52 amnesty applicants from northern Negros.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB commander, lauded the decision of the former rebels, whom they also called as “ friends rescued,” for their courage in choosing peace over conflict, as he emphasized the importance of the amnesty program initiatives in fostering peace and reconciliation.
With the offering of government amnesty, Calaoagan said the number of former rebels who signified their intention to avail of it continues to increase
Since July this year, NAC recorded 175 former rebels in Negros who applied for amnesty.
Under Proclamation No. 404, the amnesty program application for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) is effective for two years, starting March 13 this year.
The crimes covered by the amnesty program are political crimes or crimes committed in pursuit of political beliefs, according to NAC.*
