Duterte grants amnesty to Reds, other rebel groups

President Rodrigo Duterte has granted amnesty to members of communist groups and other rebel organizations who committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal Laws in connection with their political beliefs.

The amnesty, outlined in Presidential Proclamations 1090, 1091, 1092 and 1093, covered members of  communist groups, Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The crimes covered by the amnesty to these individuals include:

• rebellion/insurrection
• conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection
• disloyalty to public officers or employees
• inciting to rebellion or insurrection
• sedition
• conspiracy to commit sedition
• inciting to sedition
• illegal assembly
• illegal association
• direct assault
• indirect assault, among others.

The presidential proclamations said the amnesty was in accordance with the peace policy of the Philippine government.

This included “nurturing a climate conducive for peace and implementation of programs for reconciliation and reintegration of rebels into mainstream society.”

The amnesty, however, will not cover those charged with violation of Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the legality of which is still being questioned before the Supreme Court.

Misuari as beneficiary?

Duterte in December 2019 appointed MNLF founder Nur Misuari as the Special Economic Envoy on Islamic Affairs to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Misuari’s was appointed even when he was facing rebellion and violation of international humanitarian law charges for his role over a 20-day attack in Zamboanga City in August 2013.

The siege resulted in the deaths of over 200 people and the displacement of thousands of others.

During the incident, Misuari and then MILF Commander Umbra Kato violently took over Zamboanga City and used civilians as human shield during the infighting between them and government troops who tried to stop them from causing mayhem.

The grant of amnesty requires admission of guilt on the part of beneficiaries and concurrence of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. -Llanesca T. Panti/NB, GMA News