BBM sustains rebel amnesty programs

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has granted amnesty to former members of communist groups and rebel organizations "to encourage them to return to the folds of law," sustaining the program which was kicked off by former President Rodrigo Duterte during his term.

This comes after Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Executive Order 47 recently.

However, the EO stressed that the amnesty program does not cover kidnap for ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism, crimes committed against chastity, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, grave violations of the Geneva Convention of 1949, and genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearances and other gross violations of human rights.

In 2021, Duterte signed presidential proclamations to grant amnesty to members of the communist and rebel groups who have committed crimes in pursuit of their political beliefs.

Congress concurred with Duterte's amnesty program in January 2022, when there were about 7,691 prospective amnesty applications before the former administration's Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. 

Among those granted amnesty were former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front, Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade; Moro Islamic Liberation Front and  Moro National liberation Front.

Meantime, under Marcos' directive, there was no need to change the functions of the National Amnesty Commission formed by President Duterte to accommodate the new process for application of amnesty.

ENM