MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has taken a significant step in the administration’s peace initiatives, signing Executive Order No. 47 and several proclamations to provide amnesty to rebels and insurgents. The move is part of a broader effort to encourage them to return to the rule of law.
Issued on November 22, 2023, Executive Order No. 47, amends Executive Order No. 125 from 2021, establishing the National Amnesty Commission (NAC). The NAC’s revised functions now cover processing applications for amnesty under four new proclamations.
The National Amnesty Commission, as outlined in the executive order, will focus on evaluating applications under Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406. President Marcos highlighted the need to update the NAC’s functions to align with the processing of applications under these new proclamations.
Proclamation No. 403 grants amnesty to members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) for crimes related to their political beliefs. However, certain offenses, including kidnap for ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism, and others, are excluded from amnesty.
Similarly, Proclamation No. 404 extends amnesty to former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) for offenses committed in furtherance of their political beliefs. Exclusions mirror those specified in Proclamation No. 403.
Proclamation Nos. 405 and 406 provide amnesty to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), respectively, for crimes related to their political beliefs. The exclusions are consistent with those in Proclamations 403 and 404.
The amnesty granted under these proclamations excludes specific offenses such as kidnap for ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism, violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, grave violations of the Geneva Convention, genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearances, and other gross violations of human rights.
The amendments to the National Amnesty Commission’s functions aim to streamline the processing of amnesty applications, supporting the administration’s broader peace initiatives.
