100K rebels expected to avail

MANILA, Philippines —  Over 100,000 former rebels from communist and Moro separatist groups are expected to avail of the amnesty proclamations signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last year, according to the National Amnesty Commission (NAC).

NAC commissioner Nasser Marohomsalik shared the figures in a recent news forum held in Quezon City on Saturday. The bulk of applicants, according to him, will be coming from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and leftist groups.

"The numbers that we're giving are still tentative. Around 100,000 will avail," said Marohomsalik in Filipino.

"Thousands will come from the [Moro National Liberation Front], but there are still no figures submitted to us. But what we know is it'll be in the thousands."

The administration has four separate amnesty programs covering the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP), MILF and MNLF.

Marohomsalik said  that the amnesty process will only commence fter congressional concurrence, nothing the House of Representatives concurred with the proclamation of Marcos.

On the other hand, the Senate only made the concurrence for amnesty proclamations of the RPA-ABB, MILF, MNLF and the Kapatiran last March.

"The Senate have only given [the concurrence] for former rebels of the CPP-NPA-NDF," the NAC official said.

"So, what we know is that thousands are still lined up to file applications. The paperwork is being done by those organizations granted amnesty. The MNLF, the MILF, the CPP and the Kapatiran and so, we're still waiting for them so let's not be too hasty."

The amnesties will pardon crimes committed "in pursuit of political beliefs." Those seeking for amnesty are likewise required to acknowledge their culpability for the offense for which they bear criminal liability. (CEBU NEWS)