Duterte grants amnesty to members of rebel groups

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has granted amnesty to members of rebel groups who have committed crimes to pursue their political beliefs.

In Proclamations No. 1090 to 1093 signed Feb. 5, Duterte granted amnesty to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa–Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade Tabara Paduano Group (RPMP-RPA-ABB) and former rebels of the communist terrorist group.

Granted amnesty are those who committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal Laws, included but not limited to the following.

a. Rebellion or insurrection

b. Conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection

c. Disloyalty of public officers or employees

d. Inciting rebellion or insurrection

e. Sedition

f. Conspiracy to commit sedition

g. Inciting to sedition

h. Illegal assembly

i. Illegal association

j. Direct assault

k. Indirect assault

l. Resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person

m. Tumults and other disturbances of public order

n. Unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances

o. Alarms and scandals

p. Illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, or explosives, provided that these crimes or offenses were committed in furtherance of the incident to, or in connection with the crimes of rebellion or insurrection; and

q. Those charged, detained, or convicted of common crimes but who can establish by substantial evidence that they have actually committed said crimes in pursuit of political beliefs.

Any member of the aforementioned groups who has committed any of the crimes above may file for an application for amnesty.

The President earlier formed a National Amnesty Commission (NAC) to process applications and identify who are qualified to be granted amnesty.

READ: Duterte signs EO on creation of National Amnesty Commission

The proclamations noted that the amnesty it grants does not cover “kidnap for ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism, and other crimes committed against chastity.”

Further, it does not grant amnesty to those who committed violations of the Geneva Convention of 1949, and crimes identified by the United Nations that can never be amnestied such as “genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearances, and other gross violations of human rights.”

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