Duterte’s amnesty body draws cheers in Mindanao

ILIGAN CITY—Peace advocates in Mindanao welcomed the creation by President Rodrigo Duterte of the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) saying it augured well for combatants of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to live normal lives.

Duterte formed the seven-member commission with the secretaries of defense, justice, and interior and local government and the presidential peace adviser as ex-officio members.

The body will be responsible for accepting, processing and approving applications for amnesty.

“The creation of the NAC will greatly improve the implementation of the normalization track of the transition period,” said lawyer Mary Ann Arnado, secretary general of nongovernment Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC).

“The grant of amnesty to the MILF combatants and members will help them return back to civilian lives without fear that they could be facing prosecution and arrests,” Arnado added.

Granting amnesty is part of the normalization program agreed between the government and the MILF in a peace pact signed in 2014.

“The granting of amnesty sends a clear and strong message that the government understands the root causes of the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao, and is giving these former combatants the chance for a fresh start,” said presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez in a statement.

According to Galvez, amnesty applications can come from members of the MILF, MNLF, Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front, Cordillera Bodong Administration–Cordillera People’s Liberation Army and Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade- Tabara Paduano Group.

“With the establishment of the National Amnesty Commission, these former rebels will be able to make the complete transition to peaceful, law-abiding and productive citizens,” Galvez said.

Arnado said the amnesty could “build confidence and convince combatants to decommission and put their firearms beyond use.”

Moro women leader Baileng Mantawil said the amnesty reflects the commitment of the government to institute the remaining measures in the peace process.

TSB