1,069 Reds, Muslim combatants seek amnesty

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 1,069 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) as well as the Alex Bongcayao Brigade (ABB) have applied for amnesty being offered by the government.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. yesterday said that as of Sept. 22, among those who applied for amnesty with the local amnesty board (LAB) in the National Capital Region were two members of the ABB, 11 NPAs, 56 MILF and 45 MNLF combatants, for a total of 114 applicants.

Data also showed that 192 applications for amnesty were filed with the LAB in Iloilo, 210 in Bacolod, 82 in Cagayan de Oro, 255 in Pagadian, 115 in Davao, 98 in Cotabato, two in Basilan and one in Jolo.

“All amnesty applications must be filed individually and processed by the National Amnesty Commission (NAC), which will recommend to President Marcos for approval,” Galvez said, noting the authority to grant amnesty is vested on the President alone.

He expressed hope the applications of 1,069 former rebels and Muslim combatants would be approved before yearend.

Galvez said a majority of former NPA guerrillas applied for amnesty because the rebel group has lost support from people in communities.

The NAC said 21 ranking members of the MILF and members of the Bangsamoro parliament submitted applications for amnesty in Cotabato City in August.

Members of the parliament need amnesty to run in the first Bangsamoro elections next year.