Senate urged to concur with amnesty proclamation

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo reiterated her call for the Senate to concur with the amnesty proclamation she signed last year now that the House of Representatives has given its concurrence.

Speaking at the local peace and security assembly (LPSA) in Calapan, Mindoro yesterday, the President emphasized that the grant of amnesty to communist rebels would do a lot in bringing lasting peace to areas affected by the insurgency.

Proclamation 1377, which was signed by the President in September last year, would apply to members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and other like-minded groups.

Based on the proclamation, the amnesty would cover “the crime of rebellion and all other crimes included therein or incident thereto in pursuit of political beliefs as defined by jurisprudence, whether punishable under the Revised Penal Code or special laws.”

The amnesty would not cover crimes against chastity, rape, torture, kidnapping for ransom and trafficking of illegal drugs and other crimes for personal ends and violations of international law or convention and protocols “even if alleged to have been committed in pursuit of political beliefs.” – Marvin Sy