CITY’s AMNESTY PROGRAM TO GIVE REBELS A SECOND CHANCE

Peace Program Officer III Yvonne Bestre of the Local Amnesty Board of Baguio introduced the city’s Local Amnesty Program during a media forum, Feb. 12, at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center that aims to receive and process the application of former combatants and give them a second chance at a normal life.

She said the program is under the National Task Force To End Local Communist Armed Conflict and the combatants includes those from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA), & National Democratic Front (NDF) members and active members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB).

CPP-NPA-NDF members will have to surrender first and shall go through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) before applying, she added.

The program grants full clemency by the President where the State will fully forgive former and active combatants and will give a second chance for rebels to start a normal life once again.

Bestre said it is in collaboration with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in which they provide free legal assistance to the applicants and with their help, the criminal liabilities of applicants are cleared, civil and political rights are given back and they can apply in offices, run for a position, and can vote again.

The amnesty program also guarantees safety for the applicant and their families and will be given a safety conduct pass to move around freely under the protection of the law and the military.

In certain cases, she said, an authorized representative may coordinate with any Local Amnesty Board  where they will be given a Special Power of Attorney so that the applicant won’t be captured by the authorities, especially those with pending cases.

Those who are currently detained in jail can coordinate with their jail warden for application and they will be set free after the process of the amnesty, Bestre said.

There are 19 Local Amnesty Boards Nationwide and one can apply at any office where the National Amnesty Board sets deadlines for applications. For MILF-MNLF-ABB, they shall receive applicants until March 3, 2026 only. For CPP-NPA-NDF, they shall receive applicants until March 13, 2026 only while the processing of papers will be from 2026 to 2028. Halle Fesway/PIO Baguio intern/gk.