July 18, 2024

The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) has reported a total of 497 applications for amnesty from former members of the New People's Army (NPA) under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s program, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

According to the NAC report, the applicants are primarily affiliated with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

In addition to the NPA members, the NAC has also received applications from individuals associated with other groups such as the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Executive Director and Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. urges all remaining NPA remnants to seize the opportunity and abandon the senseless decades-long armed struggle against the government.

"We appeal to you to renounce terrorism, lay down your arms, abandon the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA, and take advantage of the amnesty being offered by the President. Return to the fold of the law and live in peace with your families," Torres said.

He emphasized that applicants have until March 4, 2026, two years since Congress concurred, to submit their applications.

During the NTF-ELCAC 1st Semester Report last week, NAC representative Attorney Rizal Acas provided an update, stating that 9 Local Amnesty Boards (LABs) are now established in strategic areas across the country.

The LABs serve as centers where NPA rebels can surrender and return to the fold of the law. They process applications at the local level for submission to NAC, which then forwards these processed applications to the Office of the President for final approval.

The 9 LABs are located in the following areas: the National Capital Region (NCR); the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo in Visayas; and the cities of Cotabato, Pagadian, Davao, Isabela, Jolo, Sulu, and Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao.

Additional proposed LAB areas include San Fernando City, La Union; Gamu, Isabela; San Fernando City, Pampanga; Baguio City, Benguet; Lucena, Quezon; Legazpi City, Albay; Tacloban and Catbalogan cities in Eastern Visayas; Koronadal City in Region 12; and Butuan City in Region 13.

The NAC was established by Executive Order No. 125 series 2021, as amended by EO 47 of 2023. The amnesty program for former and current members bearing arms in the CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front is covered by Proclamation 404.

"The crimes covered by the amnesty program are political crimes or crimes committed in pursuit of political beliefs," Acas explained."

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NTF-ELCAC MEDIA BUREAU

Ref: Joel M. Sy Egco

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