Diane Hora | iMINDSPH
Manila - The Senate has taken a significant step towards granting amnesty to various rebel groups as it refers to the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation the Concurrent Resolution Nos. 19, 20, 21 & 22 of the House of Representatives of Proclamations Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406.
These resolutions provide amnesty to former members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP/ABB), Communist Party of the Philippines, New People's Army, National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Proclamation 403 grants amnesty to former RPMP/ABB members, while Proclamation 404 grants amnesty to former CPP/NPA/NDF members. Proclamation 405 will extend amnesty to MILF members, and Proclamation 406 will do the same for MNLF members.
The constitutional requirement for the concurrence of both houses of Congress on these proclamations underscores the significance of this development. The filing period, which spans two years, will commence upon the Senate's concurrence.
The National Amnesty Commission eagerly awaits the Senate's concurrence to begin accepting amnesty applications. This historic move will allow former rebels to reintegrate peacefully into society as law-abiding and productive citizens of the nation.
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