No rebel has so far applied for gov’t amnesty, says NAC head

FILE PHOTO: The National Amnesty Commission says it has yet to receive applications for government reprieve from former rebels. During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing on Thursday, March 21, 2024, chairpersons Leah Tanodra-Armamento said they have opened the submission of amnesty applications since March 13. This undated photo shows rebels in an undisclosed location. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The  National Amnesty Commission (NAC) said it has yet to receive applications for amnesty even after Congress concurred with a presidential proclamation that would grant reprieve to rebels.

NAC Chairperson Leah Tanodra-Armamento said they had opened the submission of forms since March 13.

“Wala pa po kaming nare-receive (We have yet to receive anything),” said Armamento during Thursday’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing, in reply to a query on how many insurgents have already applied for government amnesty.

Congress concurred with Presidential Proclamation No. 404, which seeks to grant reprieve to members of the New People’s Army (NPA), Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Last week, NAC official Jamar Kulayan told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview that the issuance of the Amnesty Program’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) will happen soon following this action of Congress. He said the IRR may be out before the end of March, but submission of the application may already proceed even before it.

Kulayan likewise said that former rebels who wish to apply for government amnesty may download the form online beginning last week. He further disclosed that the NAC expects around 80,000 eligible ex-insurgents to apply.

“Before I assumed office, the MILF [already has] the list of the names, but during [that] time, the Office was not yet organized. It was only organized when I assumed Office last January 24, 2023,” she said, noting that the MILF has the most number of former rebels who have expressed interest in obtaining government reprieve.

READ: Bongbong Marcos granted amnesty to rebel returnees, insurgents – EO

“Sila ang nag-advocate na mag-grant ng amnesty ang ating Pangulo (They advocated that our President grant amnesty),” she added.

According to Armamento, NAC plans to publish the Amnesty Program’s IRR by March 28.

In November 2023, Marcos granted amnesty to several rebel returnees. He tasked the NAC with processing applications for surrendering insurgents from the MILF, MNLF, RPMP-RPA-ABB, NPA, Communist Party of the Philippines, and National Democratic Front.