NAC urges former rebels: Grab second chance on peaceful life

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — The National Amnesty Commission (NAC), through its Local Amnesty Board (LAB) La Union, is encouraging former rebels to apply for its amnesty program, which abolishes criminal liability for past political offenses.

The amnesty program was introduced as part of ongoing peace initiatives aimed at reconciling former combatants with society, with the ultimate goal of ending decades of insurgency and violence.

Kitchie Carla Palacio, from the secretariat of LAB La Union, emphasized that the opportunity for amnesty aims to end conflicts, allowing former rebels to reintegrate into society peacefully while pursuing productive endeavors.

“The benefits of applying for and successfully being granted amnesty are numerous, including the removal of criminal liability for past offenses and treating it as if former rebels have committed no crime,” Palacio said.

Benefits of amnesty

Some key advantages of receiving amnesty include:

  •       Dismissal of criminal cases against the grantees, regardless of the stage of the proceedings,
  •       Revocation of standing warrants, meaning the grantee will no longer be considered a fugitive,
  •       Exemption from prosecution for any amnestied offenses, and
  •       Restoration of civil and political rights.

Palacio also clarified that under the Constitution, only the President has the authority to grant amnesty.

“Only the President, with the concurrence of Congress, has the power to grant amnesty,” she said.

Who can avail?

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed four proclamations specifying the eligibility criteria for amnesty under the program. 

These apply to individuals who committed crimes under the Revised Penal Code and special penal laws:

  •       Proclamation No. 403 Grants amnesty to members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB).
  •       Proclamation No. 404 Grants amnesty to former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
  •       Proclamation Nos. 405 and 406 Grants amnesty to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

What crimes are covered?

Palacio said that only specific crimes committed before the issuance of these proclamations qualify for amnesty.

“Only crimes committed before November 22, 2023, are covered under the amnesty program,” she noted.

The list of covered crimes includes:

  •       Rebellion or insurrection;
  •       Conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection;
  •       Disloyalty of public officers or employees;
  •       Inciting rebellion or insurrection;
  •       Sedition;
  •       Conspiracy to commit sedition;
  •       Inciting sedition;
  •       Illegal assembly;
  •       Direct and indirect assault;
  •       Resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or their agents;
  •       Tumults or other disturbances of public order;
  •       Unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances;
  •       Alarms and scandals;
  •       Illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, or explosives, provided these were committed in furtherance of, incident to, or in connection with rebellion or insurrection; and
  •       Common crimes committed in pursuit of political beliefs, provided substantial evidence can establish this.

What crimes are not covered?

Palacio clarified that specific crimes committed after November 22, 2023, are not eligible for amnesty.

“If a crime was committed—even in pursuit of political beliefs—after November 22, 2023, it cannot be covered by amnesty,” Palacio said.

The following crimes are not eligible for amnesty:

  •       Kidnapping for ransom;
  •       Rape;
  •       Other crimes against chastity as defined in the Revised Penal Code;
  •       Massacre or other heinous crimes;
  •       Violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9165);
  •       Terrorism;
  •       Crimes committed for personal gain;
  •       Crimes involving moral turpitude;
  •       Other analogous violations under domestic and international law, including those identified by the United Nations as non-amnestiable, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearances, and gross human rights violations; and
  •       Violation of election laws, rules, and regulations, unless granted a favorable recommendation by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

LAB La Union is coordinating with relevant agencies to streamline the amnesty application process in the Ilocos Region, ensuring efficient processing.

The NAC has established LAB frontline offices in 10 strategic locations nationwide, including Manila, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Pagadian City, Isabela City, Basilan, and Jolo.

For more details, the NAC can be reached via:

Former rebels interested in applying for the amnesty program can contact the NAC to take the first step toward a peaceful and productive future. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)

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