18 amnesty candidates gain safe passes

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — At least 18 former rebels and amnesty applicants in Northern Mindanao have received Safe Conduct Passes (SCPs), a crucial step in their reintegration into society and part of the government’s broader peace efforts. The passes officially remove their fear of arrest.

“I have mixed feelings. I don’t exactly know how I feel with this happiness, even as I’m thankful to the authorities for awarding me a Safe Conduct Pass. I no longer have to worry of being nabbed by the police or the military because of this,” said Jessa Mae, a former rebel, speaking through tears.

Atty. Jamar Kulayan, commissioner of the National Amnesty Commission, highlighted the SCP program as a confidence-building measure and proof of the government’s commitment to the amnesty program.

“The SCP is both a confidence-building measure and also a proof of the government’s sincerity to enforce and implement the amnesty program with whom our government has a peace agreement,” Kulayan said. “The government committed to them that they will be granted amnesty. For the former rebels, this is an encouragement given by the government for them to ultimately go down from the hills and join us in peacefully pursuing their lives.”

However, challenges remain, primarily low application rates. “Our main challenges here is the lack of application,” Kulayan added. “Data from the Task Force Balikloob shows that there are already around 54,000 former rebels, and, yet, as of the present, there are just around 3,300 amnesty applicants.”

Despite the SCPs offering protection from the military and police, threats from former comrades persist. Maj. Gen. Michelle Anayron Jr., 4th Infantry Division commander, stressed the military’s continued security measures.