Samar tops amnesty applications as NAC deadline nears

The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) said it will continue accepting applications through its 18 local amnesty boards nationwide as the deadline for filing draws near.

As of 31 December 2025, the NAC reported receiving 7,171 amnesty applications, with its office in Catbalogan City recording 763 submissions, the highest number in the country.

The Local Amnesty Board (LAB) Catbalogan processes applications from the three Samar Island provinces, areas that were once considered strongholds of the communist New People’s Army.

Jazmine Odysaa Lutao, NAC peace program officer and head of the LAB secretariat, said that of the 763 applications received in Catbalogan, 424 are under verification, 195 are undergoing case conferences, 14 have completed further investigation, and 130 have already been resolved.

Most applicants came from areas under the 803rd Infantry Brigade with 349 submissions, followed by the 802nd Infantry Brigade with 155, and the 801st Infantry Brigade with 97.

Additional applicants included 137 from the Philippine National Police and five persons deprived of liberty.

Lutao noted that the 802nd Infantry Brigade has operational control over Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran, while the LAB Catbalogan continues to handle applications across Samar Island.

The NAC set March 4, 2026, as the deadline for amnesty applications for members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas–Revolutionary Proletarian Army–Alex Boncayao Brigade, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and Moro National Liberation Front.

Meanwhile, former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front and their front organizations have until March 13, 2026, to file their applications.