OPAPP seeks peace groups’ proposal on granting amnesty to former rebels 

Presidential Peace adviser and concurrent National Task Force COVID-19 Response Chief Implementor and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — With the creation of the National Amnesty Commission (NAC), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) sought for peace groups’ recommendations in granting amnesty to former rebels and insurgents.

“With this delivery of important commitment from the government, I am requesting the various peace tables to already prepare the parameters and come up with recommendations on the implementation of the amnesty proclamation,” presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said Wednesday in a statement.

President Rodrigo Duterte tasked the NAC to process applications and identify who are qualified to be granted amnesty.

Galvez welcomed the establishment of NAC, saying this will allow former rebels “to make the complete transition to peaceful, law-abiding and productive citizens.”

He also encouraged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to take advantage of the amnesty program.

“The amnesty proclamation will benefit the rebel returnees. I call on members of the communist group who are still hiding in the mountains to use the amnesty program as an opportunity to turn away from armed violence and become instruments of peace and development in their communities,” said Galvez.

The newly established commission will have seven members, including a chairperson and two regular members who will be appointed by the President.

The interior, defense and justice secretaries, and the presidential adviser on peace are ex-officio members.

JPV