THE number of amnesty applicants has reached 2,000 more than a year since President Marcos Jr. ordered the grant of amnesty to former rebels and former members of armed groups in the country, the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) said yesterday.
In a news release, the NAC said this milestone marks a significant step forward in ongoing efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in the country.
Of the applications received, 45 have been resolved by Local Amnesty Boards (LABs) and are undergoing review by the NAC, which would determine if they would be endorsed to the Office of the President for final approval.
The President in November 2023 issued Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406 granting amnesty to members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP/RPA/ABB), former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Congress concurred on the amnesty proclamation in 2024 that resulted in the NAC starting receiving applications in April last year.
The NAC, which is mandated to receive and process applications for amnesty, has until March 2026 to accept the applications.
