NTF-ELCAC asks Senate to support amnesty for communist rebels

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Thursday appealed to the Senate to support the measure seeking to provide amnesty to communist rebels.
 
“For the communist terrorist group, it is still pending at the Senate. That's why we appealed for the concurrence of the Senate for this to be approved so that we can proceed with the amnesty program for the communist terrorist group,” Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Undersecretary Isidro Purisima said at a press conference.
 
Purisima was referring to Proclamation No. 1093, signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2021, which seeks to grant amnesty to former communist rebels who have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal Laws in furtherance of their political beliefs.
 
Meanwhile, Purisima said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. just approved the appointment of some officials to the National Amnesty Commission.
 
The commission also had a meeting last week, according to him.
 
In July 2022, NTF-ELCAC said it strongly recommended to Marcos the offering of amnesty to address the communist insurgency.
 
In February 2021, Duterte issued Proclamations Nos. 1090, 1091, 1092, and 1093, granting amnesty to members of rebel organizations and communist groups.
 
The grant of amnesty requires an admission of guilt on the part of beneficiaries and the concurrence of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
 
In January 2022, the Senate concurred only with Proclamation Nos. 1090, 1091, and 1092, which cover amnesty for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB). — VBL, GMA News