Bangsamoro gov’t conveys ‘genuine gratitude’ for PBBM’s amnesty grant to MILF, MNLF

The Bangsamoro government on Saturday conveyed its "genuine gratitude" to the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for granting amnesty to the members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, Minister of the Interior and Local Government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said Marcos' decision to grant amnesty to MILF and MNLF former combatant poses a significant milestone in achieving peace in the Bangsamoro region.

"The Bangsamoro Government and the Bangsamoro People express genuine gratitude to the Government of the Philippines for showing unwavering commitment to the Bangsamoro Peace Process and all signed peace agreements with the advancement of these Amnesty Proclamation," Sinarimbo said.

He added that the amnesty grant would really help in the full transformation of the former combatants into productive Filipino citizens.

"This development is a significant milestone in the achievement of meaningful and enduring peace in the Bangsamoro, as this will form part of former combatants' full transformation towards being productive and peace-loving Filipino citizens," he stressed.

Marcos has green-lighted the Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406, respectively, granting amnesty to members of Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade; Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front as well as MILF and MNLF.

The amnesty is granted to organizations that committed crimes whether punishable under the Revised Penal Code or special penal laws, including but not limited to rebellion or insurrection; conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection; disloyalty of public officers or employees; inciting to rebellion or insurrection; sedition; conspiracy to commit sedition; and inciting to sedition.

Meanwhile, Sinarimbo said the BARMM government is ready and ready and willing to work with the National Government and the National Amnesty Commission for the full implementation of the Amnesty Proclamations.

"We call on our MILF and MNLF brothers and sisters to take this opportunity to gradually prepare for availment of amnesty; while the Bangsamoro Government meanwhile continues to implement meaningful programs and services towards development of Bangsamoro communities and local governments, to prepare localities that are able to provide former combatants with opportunities to lead productive lives in anticipation of the full implementation of the Amnesty Proclamations," Sinarimbo said.