A congressman declared support for the proposal of granting amnesty to rebels who will return to the fold of the government.
This is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.‘s announcement during his second State of the Nation Address that he will issue a proclamation granting amnesty to rebel returnees.
According to Deputy Majority Leader and TINGOG Party List Congressman Jude Acidre, this shows the president’s determination to end the decades-long insurgency in the Philippines.
“Honestly, when I first heard it, I was actually surprised, pleasantly surprised with the president. It shows his determination to end our insurgency problem. And it shows the right attitude when it comes to peace-building,” Cong. Jude Acidre, TINGOG Party List | Deputy Majority Leader said.
Under Section 19, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, the President has the authority to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all the Members of Congress.
Under Section 19, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution:
Except in cases of impeachment, or as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the President may grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction by final judgment.
He shall also have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all the Members of Congress.
Fidel V. Ramos was the first President to grant amnesty to rebels when he issued Proclamation No. 347 in March 1994.
Meanwhile, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued four proclamations in 2021 granting amnesty to members of the Communist Movement, Moro National Liberation Front, and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
TINGOG Party-list condemns all forms of CPP-NPA-NDF violence
Meanwhile, Cong. Acidre vehemently condemns all forms of violence perpetrated by the CPP-NPA-NDF.
“We always condemn violence in all its forms. Well, the CPP-NPA, of course, if they continue their ways. For me, violence in any form has no justification,” Cong. Jude Acidre, TINGOG Party List | Deputy Majority Leader said.
TINGOG Party-list supports NTF-ELCAC programs and measures
The lawmaker also supports the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in achieving peace and development in rural areas.
“What we are happy with the NTF-ELCAC is that we are able to present a pro-development approach in solving the insurgency problem. Not all the time bullets are the answer to bullets. We see poverty, and when we alleviate poverty, when we reduce poverty, we can deliver government services, which the ELCAC is doing. That is a big thing not only for temporary peace but also for the long-term development of our rural areas, which we fully support,” Acidre added.
When asked about increasing the budget of NTF-ELCAC, here is the lawmaker’s response.
“Well, we support not just the anti-insurgency programs but, as we can see, the benefits of ELCAC’s programs directly go to the people. We see this in the construction of classrooms, the opening of roads, and the positive impact of ELCAC. So, what we support is the long-term solution that addresses not just the temporary suppression of insurgency but also the root causes of insurgency,” he said.
Based on data from the government’s Anti-Communist Task Force, it is estimated that almost 36,000 former rebels have returned to the government.