Senate OKs amnesty granted by Duterte to Reds, MILF, MNLF members
(FILE) Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces are preparing to lay down their arms and return to civilian life as part of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s peace deal with the government. —JEOFFREY MAITEM
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has approved three concurrent resolutions with the House of Representatives that agree with the granting of amnesty by President Rodrigo Duterte to members of rebel groups.
During Monday’s session, the House Concurrent Resolutions 12, 13, and 14 — which concurs with Duterte’s Proclamations No. 1090, No. 1091, and No. 1092 — were approved by the 18 present senators.
READ: Duterte grants amnesty to members of rebel groups
House Concurrent Resolution No. 12 which tackles Proclamation No. 1090 allows amnesty for members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), an insurgent group which has worked with the government in establishing an autonomous region for Muslims in Mindanao.
Resolution No. 12 for Proclamation No. 1091 meanwhile tackles the amnesty given to members of the precursor of the MILF, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Resolution No. 14 on the other hand was meant for Proclamation No. 1092, which was an amnesty for members of the communist Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade.
Under the Proclamations, only crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal Laws which were done in furtherance of their political beliefs can be granted amnesty. Meanwhile, crimes done in a personal capacity cannot be granted amnesty.
But before the resolutions were approved, the criteria for amnesty was thoroughly deliberated as Minority Floor Leader and Senator Franklin Drilon questioned what merits an amnesty, who can receive it, and what specific crimes would be covered.
READ: House passes measure on amnesty for ex-rebels; seven lawmakers object
READ: Lacson questions proposal to grant amnesty to communist terrorist group members
