The Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.s’ decision to grant amnesty to rebels under a series of proclamations signed this week.
AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar on Saturday said such decision would allow the government to encourage more rebels to return to the fold of the law and those with criminal liabilities will be more at ease to surrender the armed struggle.
“Siyempre masaya kami. Maybe it’s time to offer them amnesty to remove obstacle that is preventing these people who are charge with criminal cases,” Aguilar said in a news forum in Quezon City.
The government has been advocating for a peaceful resolution with rebels for more than five decades, Medel said.
One program that is offered to rebel returnees is the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides financial and livelihood assistance to them and their families as they return back to the society.
“Lahat naman ng ito is para maging mapayapa ang ating bansa,” he said.
“We know that if we will be able to win back more 400 personalities facing the charges, plus their supporters, this will be a big win in our effort to achieving peace in our country,” he added.
Medel also clarified that while the amnesty is in effect, there will be no ceasefire and the AFP will continue to conduct security protocols to ensure safety of communities, especially in those areas still under the influence of terrorist groups.
“While we are offering this opportunity for them to return the folds of the law, we will continue to exert pressure. We will continue to conduct security patrols. Kasi iyong encounter po, nangyayari naman ito dahil sila ay na andiyan at lumalaban,” Aguilar said.
“The objective is to secure communities. That’s why palagi nating ginagawa iyong community support program, not just to drive away the elements of the communist terrorist group, but also to look at the wellbeing of our communities. Because if there are issues that are left unanswered or unresolved, these are very issues that the CPP-NPA-NDF are exploiting to agitate our communities against the government,” he said. PND
