House panels concur with Duterte proclamations granting amnesty to ex-rebels

MANILA, Philippines — Two committees in the House of Representatives have concurred with President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamations granting amnesty to former rebels.

During their joint meeting, the House committees on justice and on national defense and security approved House Concurrent Resolutions No. 12, 13, 14, and 15 filed by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, and Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano.

The resolutions agree with Duterte’s proclamations in February granting amnesty to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas or Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB).

One of the President’s proclamations also grants amnesty to “former rebels of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG),” a tag that was questioned by progressive lawmakers in earlier hearings.

In Duterte’s Proclamation No. 1090 to 1093, those who committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal Laws, including rebellion or insurrection, conspiracy to commit sedition, illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, or explosives, among others, may be granted amnesty.

READ: Duterte grants amnesty to members of rebel groups

Defense Undersecretary and Task Force Balik Loob chair Reynaldo Mapagu earlier said in a statement that the amnesty was “an opportunity for our former rebels, who have abandoned the more than 50-year senseless local communist armed conflict, to have a clean slate.”

KGA