The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) hailed on Saturday, April 12, the issuance of Memorandum Order No. 36 by President Marcos Jr. which authorizes the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) to issue safe conduct passes (SCPs) to former rebels who are applying for amnesty.
According to the OPAPRU, a safe conduct pass is a document issued by the government to individuals who wish to apply for amnesty without fear of being arrested. This would essentially ensure their safety and security while their applications are being processed by the NAC.
OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the issuance of MO 36 is a testament to the Marcos administration’s desire to help former rebels rebuild their lives.
“President Marcos has underscored, time and again, his commitment to support our brothers and sisters who have returned to the folds of the law and now wish to create a brighter future for themselves and their families,” Galvez said.
“As we have emphasized, amnesty is the best policy. It will not only restore the civil rights of our former rebels, but enable them to live freely and seek employment without fear for their safety,” he explained.
Marcos formalized the issuance of the SCPs during a visit to the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 6thInfantry Division at Camp Siongco in Brgy. Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, on April 11.
Major General Donald Gumiran, 6ID commander, said the issuance of SCPs is a major milestone in the country’s quest to achieve a just and long-lasting peace.
“This is more than just a policy. It is a symbol of continuing [to] break barriers and [an] assurance of a safe, secure and progressive nation, ready to uphold the country’s values, and move forward to a hopeful future,” Gumiran said.
Gumiran also expressed gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief “for leading us to the path of reconciliation, and demonstrating (an) unwavering commitment to peace especially here in the Bangsamoro region.”
For her part, lawyer Leah Tanodra-Armamento, chairperson of NAC, said the latest initiative shows the government’s commitment to supporting the full transformation of former rebels.
“This will surely double the number of our amnesty applicants. On the part of the NAC, we wish to express our gratitude to the President for the full support that he had been extending to us until now so that we would easily achieve our mandate,” she said.
On November 23, 2023, Marcos issued Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406, which granted amnesty to members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA- NDF), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Qualified to apply are those who have committed crimes in furtherance of their ideological and political beliefs.
According to the NAC, it has so far received 2,424 amnesty applications nationwide.
Malacañang has described President Marcos’ MO as a “powerful step” toward national healing and reconciliation.
“The move is expected to strengthen the government’s reintegration efforts for former combatants, by streamlining access to a more inclusive and secure amnesty process,” it said. (Martin Sadongdong, Argyll Geducos)
