Manila: Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. emphasized that the high turnout of applicants for the government's amnesty program showcases the determination of former rebels and combatants to start a new life and trust in the government. "(This high turnout) is a testament to their determination to start a new chapter in their lives, as well as shows their full trust and confidence in the national government," he stated in a recent announcement.
According to Philippines News Agency, a total of 16,003 former rebels and combatants have availed themselves of the national government's amnesty program as of March 14, marking another major milestone under the comprehensive Philippine peace process. Data from the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) show that the majority of the applicants-13,633-are former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army - National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and their front organizations. Their applications were received before the March 13 deadline set for the group.
Meanwhile, 1,240 applicants came from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), while the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) had 646. Another 484 applications were submitted by members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa - Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army - Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA-ABB), now calling themselves the Kapatiran. The deadline for the MILF, MNLF, and RPM-P/RPA-ABB applicants was set earlier on March 4.
"This milestone reflects the desire of these former combatants to turn away from decades of armed struggle, embrace peace, and rebuild their lives," Galvez explained. He added that the Amnesty Program is a cornerstone of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s administration's peace agenda, which aims to complement all signed peace agreements and ongoing Normalization and Transformation Programs, particularly in Mindanao.
"The sheer number of applications demonstrates trust in the government, trust in the peace process, and trust that former rebels and combatants have a chance to build communities," Galvez concluded.
