Amnesty Deadline for Insurgents Set for March 2026

September 5, 2024

Communist insurgents have until March 2026 to submit their applications under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Proclamation 404, also known as the Amnesty Program, according to National Amnesty Commission (NAC) Commissioner Jamar Kulayan.

Speaking on DWDD AM’s “Voices from the Frontline,” Kulayan highlighted that the deadline for applications is March 14, 2026, the date when both the Senate and House of Representatives concurred on Proclamation 404.

“Take advantage of the Amnesty Program. We encourage you to apply now because you only have two years from the date of concurrence to file your applications. After that, applications will no longer be accepted. Don’t wait until the last minute,” Kulayan urged.

The NAC was established by Executive Order No. 125 series of 2021, as amended by EO 47 of 2023. The amnesty program targets former and current members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) covered by Proclamation 404.

Under former President Rodrigo Duterte, the amnesty program had a one-year application window.

“President Marcos Jr. extended the application and processing period to two years. The program is not limited to NPA rebels; members of the CPP and NDF are also eligible,” Kulayan noted.

“The amnesty is for those genuinely committed to abandoning armed struggle and working with the government towards peace,” Kulayan clarified.

“The current peace program is communal, meant for everyone. True peace begins with each individual,” he added.

Kulayan reported that the NAC has received 688 applications from CPP-NPA-NDF members to date.

These applications have come from the nine Local Amnesty Boards (LABs) established by the NAC in key areas: the National Capital Region (NCR); the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo in the Visayas; and the cities of Cotabato, Pagadian, Davao, Isabela, Jolo, Sulu, and Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao.

The LABs function as centers where NPA rebels can surrender and rejoin society under the law. Applications processed at the local level are submitted to the NAC, which then forwards them to the Office of the President for final approval.

However, Kulayan acknowledged that the filing process has been somewhat slow due to the thorough vetting by law enforcement agencies. To accommodate more applicants, the NAC plans to expand the number of LABs.

Additional LABs are being proposed in 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.

Kulayan expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for being the “prime movers” of the President's amnesty program on the ground.

“With their efforts, we expect more applications in the coming months,” he concluded.

NTF-ELCAC MEDIA BUREAU

Ref: Joel M. Sy Egco

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