President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. has issued four proclamation orders granting amnesty to former and present members of rebel and insurgent groups, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Friday, Nov. 24.
In a press release posted on its official Facebook page, PCO said rebel and insurgent groups include:
- Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB)
- Communist Party of the Philippines, New People's Army, and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF)
- Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
- Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
Under Proclamations No. 403, 404, 405, and 406, the communications office said former and present members of the aforementioned groups shall be granted amnesty for their "committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal laws in furtherance of their political beliefs."
However, the PCO noted that the proclamations specified that amnesty “shall not cover kidnap for ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism, crimes committed against chastity as defined in the Revised Penal Code, violation of RA No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, grave violations of the Geneva Convention of 1949, and genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearances, and other gross violations of human rights.”
According to the communications office, Marcos issued the orders “as part of the administration’s comprehensive peace initiatives.”