28 rebels seek amnesty —NAC head

The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) has received 28 applications for amnesty so far, NAC chairperson Atty. Leah Tanodra-Armamento said Friday.

“So far, ang natanggap namin na talagang hard copy na application ay only 28. But we are going to places of detention kasi marami na nandoon ang gustong mag-apply for amnesty,” Tanodra-Armamento said in a televised public briefing.

(So far, we received only 28 hard copies of application. But we are going to places of detention because a lot of people there want to apply for amnesty.)

Those who may seek amnesty are members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian-Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade, Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the Moro National Liberation Front.

Tanodra-Armamento said they may file an application within two years from March 2024.

Meanwhile, she said individuals who apply for amnesty are considered former rebels. 

“From the time you submit your application… we are giving ourselves 90 days hanggang sa ma-submit namin sa Office of the President. And then it’s the President’s call now kung hanggang kailan niya matapos,” she said.

(From the time you submit your application, we give ourselves 90 days to submit it to the Office of the President. And then it’s up to the President when he will sign it.)

So far, NAC has formed nine field offices across the country. Tanodra-Armamento said they are seeking to establish 10 more.

“Sila 'yung mga nag e-engage sa ating mga persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). Sila 'yung mga dumadalaw. Sila din ang nakikipag-usap sa ating security sector,” she said.

(They are the ones engaging with our PDLs. They are the ones who visit them. And they are also the ones who are coordinating with our security sector.)

The NAC will also sign a memorandum of agreement with the National Commission of Muslim Filipinos on the dissemination of information regarding amnesty.

In April, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. ordered the immediate implementation of the amnesty program for the remaining communist rebels.—AOL, GMA Integrated News