Duterte grants rebels amnesty, except CPP-NPA

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has granted general amnesty to members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB) but left out the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Under Proclamation Nos. 1091 to 1094, President Duterte extinguished the criminal liabilities and restored the political and civil rights of the members of the four major threat groups, with which the administration is pursuing continuing peace talks.

“Amnesty under the proclamation shall extinguish any criminal liability for acts committed in pursuit of political beliefs, without prejudice to the grantee’s civil liability for injuries or damages caused to a private person whose right to be indemnified is fully recognized herein,” the proclamation read.

“The grant of amnesty shall also effect the restoration of civil and political rights suspended or lost by virtue of criminal conviction,” Duterte said in the proclamation.

The proclamations were signed last Feb. 5 but was only released to the media yesterday.

Members of the four groups may file for amnesty within one year from the effectivity of the proclamation. The amnesty also covers those who are detained, charged and/or convicted for such acts or omissions, which are done prior to the issuance of the amnesty proclamation.

Applicants must, in writing and under oath, admit to his or her guilt of the offense and must turn over their firearms to the government.

However, the amnesty will not be granted to those who have been charged under the Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007 or Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

The amnesty granted shall not cover kidnap-for-ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism and other crimes committed against chastity as defined under the Revised Penal Code and crimes committed for personal ends; violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002; grave violations of the Geneva Convention of 1949 and acts deemed by the United Nations as crimes that can never be provided amnesty – genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearances and other violations of human rights.