General amnesty for all rebels sought

MANILA, Philippines — A key House official has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to implement a general amnesty that will cover not only some rebel groups but also “all those who wish to lay down arms and surrender.”

House Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman appealed that those who want to leave the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) be included in the amnesty.

Hataman pointed out that many Abu Sayyaf and BIFF members had surrendered and were detained because of the lack of an amnesty program.

“Many of them joined not because of ideology,” he said.

—Julie M. Aurelio