OPAPP sees around 12,700 prospective amnesty applicants

Screengrab: Senate of the Philippines Youtube

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) is expecting around 12,700 applicants for amnesty from 2022 to 2024, its chief of staff Assistant Secretary Wilben Mayor said Tuesday.

Mayor said that of the 12,700 prospective applicants, 5,000 are members of the Moro National Liberation Front, another 5,000 are former members of communist terrorist groups, 1,500 are members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and 1,200 are members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade.

Mayor noted that the number of prospective applicants who are MILF members may still rise.

“Around 1,500 MILF members will be applying for amnesty but the figure’s expected to increase after the ongoing survey and validation being conducted by the implementing panels and as the parties proceed with the decommissioning of an estimated number of 40,000 MILF combatants,” Mayor explained during a joint hearing in the Senate led by the Committee on National Defense.

Moreover, Mayor hoped for the Senate concurrence on the amnesty, saying it will provide former rebels “not just a new start in life, but ultimately secure their place in society.”

“We humbly appeal for the concurrence of the Senate to realize the meaningful transformation of former rebels into peaceful and productive citizens of the country,” Mayor said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier signed Proclamations No. 1090 to 1093, granting amnesty to members of rebel groups who have committed crimes to pursue their political beliefs.

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