Ex-rebels with pending amnesty

applications get arrest immunity

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, (PIA)— As a gesture of goodwill to forge pace in Bohol, the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) handed to 12 Boholano former rebels a document that keeps them from being arrested or prosecuted for the crimes they may have committed while working in the underground movement.

Only 7 beneficiaries however arrived for the ceremony.

No less than NAC Chair, lawyer Leah Tanodra Armamento handed the Safe Conduct Passes (SCP) to 7 of the 12 rebel surrenderees who applied for the amnesty as processed by the NCC’s local liaison office, the Local Amnesty Board (LAB).

LAB is the local office which operates under the NAC and is tasked to accept and processes amnesty applications from eligible individuals: former communist rebels, who desire to live in peace and seek reintegration through the president’s amnesty program.

An SCP is a government-issued document that provides former rebel beneficiaries some level of protection from arrest for crimes they committed in the pursuit of their political beliefs.

The NAC has been authorized to issue the SCP, in response to Memorandum Order No. 36, series of 2025, according to NAC Legal and Amnesty Operations Officer Atty. Angel Sosa.

“This should allow the rebel-surrenderee applicants to file and process their amnesty applications, guarantee their safe passage and immunes them from warrantless arrests while their application is still on process,” she said.

Atty. Sosa however pressed that the SCP is just a temporary protection and is not the same as the amnesty which must be formally granted.

The SCP, she said does not protect against valid arrests especially of crimes committed after the release of the immunity document, or crimes not covered by the amnesty proclamation.

It also does not protect the recipient of the SCP from suit for possession of fire-arms and ammunition.

Former rebel 36 year old Julius Bautista of San Jose Mabini said he does not know if he has pending suits or warrants of arrest, but welcomes the granting of the SCP.

We do not have to walk in fear that law enforcement authorities would suddenly arrest us, he said.

I do not know either if I have a case I need to face, I just want to be sure because this is a proof for law enforcement that I can freely walk anywhere while waiting for my amnesty applications, shared Gilbert Arinque of San Isidro Mabini, during the event.

Atty. Armamento, who came in from Manila was also accompanied by NAC Commissioner Ser-Me Ayuyao and NAC Legal and Amnesty Operations Officer Atty. Angel Sosa, had also the members of the LAB Bohol witnessing the hand-over.

During the same event which was held at the Panda Tea Gardens and Suites, NAC Chairperson also formalized the official service of the LAB in Bohol.

Sworn in were Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado as LAB Chairperson, Prosecutor Eric Ucat as Vice Chair, Integrated Bar of the Philippines Bohol Chapter president Atty John Jeric Lim with Atty Harold Bayarcal as alternate, Philippine National Police Regional Director Brig General Redrico Maranan with Col Patricio Degas as alternate, Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Brigade Commander Col Richard Rabaca with 47IB Major Jayrod Cabahug as alternate, Asst Provincial Prosecutor Atty. Ingemar Macarine as Department of Justice alternate and Romeo Teruel, Bohol ELCAC coordinator and LAB alternate Chairman. (PIABohol).

SAFE CONDUCT PASS. Ex-rebel amnesty applicants are now holding documents stating they are immune from arrests for crimes associated with their pursuit of political beliefs, this as the government makes true its promise of reopening the way to lasting peace for the country. (PIABohol)