The grant of amnesty to former rebels is an integral part of the confidence-building measures under the National Task Force for Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-ELCAC).
This was the statement today by Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez as he sought the support of lawmakers for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s proclamation granting amnesty to former rebels.
In his statement during the joint meeting of the House Committee on Justice and the Committee on National Defense and Security, Secretary Galvez emphasized that this would strengthen the confidence-building measures of the government.
“The granting of amnesty is an integral part of the comprehensive peace process. It is a path towards normalization that would allow these former rebels not only to fully reintegrate themselves into mainstream society as peaceful, productive and law-abiding citizens, but more importantly, enable them to rebuild their lives and ensure a better future for themselves and their families,” he said.
“Moreover, through the government’s amnesty program, which is among confidence-building measures under the (NTF-ELCAC) Local Peace Engagement Framework and the Normalization Program under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), we want to demonstrate to these former rebels that they have made the right decision in laying down their arms and returning to the folds of the law. we want to show them that good things come to those who choose to walk the path of peace,” he said.
He further stated that “(t)he granting of amnesty is an integral part of the comprehensive peace process. It is a path towards normalization that would allow these former rebels not only to fully reintegrate themselves into mainstream society as peaceful, productive and law-abiding citizens, but more importantly, enable them to rebuild their lives and ensure a better future for themselves and their families.”
The NTF-ELCAC, created under EO 70 signed in December 2018, is the whole-of-government approach in defeating the local communist terrorist group and obtaining sustainable and inclusive peace throughout the country.
“Moreover, through the government’s amnesty program, which is among confidence-building measures under the National Task Force for Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-ELCAC) Local Peace Engagement Framework and the Normalization Program under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), we want to demonstrate to these former rebels that they have made the right decision in laying down their arms and returning to the folds of the law. we want to show them that good things come to those who choose to walk the path of peace,” he said.
Galvez cited himself and colleague OPAPRU Presidential Assistant Wilben Mayor as among the beneficiaries of the amnesty during the leadership of former President Fidel Ramos in 1996.
“Having been granted amnesty during the administration of former President Fidel V. Ramos, we have realized that armed struggle shall not, in any way, address the challenges confronting our nation. It is only by being part of the solution, and that is by being an advocate of peace, that has allowed us help bring positive and meaningful change to our country,” he said.
The Committee on Justice and the Committee on National Defense and Security jointly convened on Tuesday for the concurrent resolutions of the Congress on the proclamations of the President to grant amnesty to former members of four groups, who have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and special penal laws in furtherance of their political beliefs.
The Joint Committee later on approved House Concurrent Resolutions 19, 20, 21, and 22 which granted amnesty to the former members of Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RMRP-RPA-ABB), the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Front (CCP-NPA-NDF), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), respectively. PND
