• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A rebel couple has surrendered to 79th Infantry Battalion in northern Negros, and seek to avail of the amnesty program of the government.
1Lt. Dan Carlo Somoza, 79IB Civil Military Operations chief, disclosed that the surrender of the rebel couple on August 23 was made in collaboration with the Escalante City government.
Somoza said the surrendered couple occupy the positions squad leader and finance and logistic officer in the dismantled Northern Negros Front.
However, their identities have been withheld by the 79IB for security reasons.
Of more than 200 former rebels who have filed government amnesty applications, 53 have surrendered to the 79IB, military records showed.
Somoza said that the rebel couple surrendered out of love for their family.
Under Proclamation 404, former members of the CPP-NPA and its political arm, National Democratic Front (NDF), who committed any act or omission in pursuit of political beliefs, including those detained, charged, or convicted for such acts or omissions, may file an application for amnesty.
The proclamation grants 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.
Crimes subject to amnesty, committed before Nov. 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 similar crimes.
For former CPP-NPA-NDF members, the amnesty application must be filed before March 4, 2026.*