Marking milestone on 15th Peace Day

NAC installs 11th Local

Amnesty Board in Bohol

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Feb 14 (PIA)— Fifteen years after Bohol was declared by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as insurgency-free, following the neutralization of the threat of the communist insurgents in Bohol and after hundreds of former red warriors surrendered to authorities, the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) installed in Bohol its local liaison in the Local Amnesty Board (LAB).

The LAB acts as the local liaison between the community and the NAC, in processing amnesty applications for the former rebels who have decided to straighten out their lives and walk the way to peace.

Just as the NAC installed LABs all over the country, it would take Bohol over a decade to convince the government body to put up shop in Bohol to facilitate the applications of former armed men who have been asked to answer to the suits filed against them when they were fighting for their cause while in the underground movement.

During the 15th anniversary celebration of the Provincial Day of Peace, no less than NAC Chairperson Atty. Leah Tanodra-Armamento and her team as well National Task Force (NTF) on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., graced the event and led the launching of the local inter-agency and multi-sectoral body tasked to facilitate and pre-screen the applications of those intending to be cleared of their committed political crimes they have earlier been convicted.

Bohol Officials led by Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado and ELCAC Coordinator Romeo Teruel, Capitol Officials as well as hundreds of former rebels gathered for the Kauban sa Reporma Congress witnessed the ceremonies officially setting up the 11th LAB in the country.

NAC lists their installed LABs in the country as National Capital Region, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato City, Davao City, Pagadian City, Isabela City, Basilan, and Jolo, Sulu.

It may be recalled that Presidential Proclamation Nos. 403, 405, 406, and 404 have all received the Senate’s seal of approval, paving the way for a fresh start for those who strayed from the path of peace in pursuit of political belief.

PP 405 grants amnesty to members of the Rebolusyarnong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas – Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB), Proclamation 404 grants the same to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New Peoples’ Army National Democratic Front and their front organizations, PP 405 grants amnesty to the members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front while the same grant to the Moro National Liberation Front in relation to Executive Order (EO) No. 125 series of 2022 and EO 47.

For this, the NAC was created and tasked to receive and process amnesty applications while determining whether the applicant rebel returnee is entitled to the presidential amnesty.

To further facilitate the ease of applications of the amnesty, the NAC sets up LABs, like the one in Bohol, explains Atty Armamento.

While the Bohol LAB is the latest installed local board, local applicants only have a little over a year to file for their amnesty applications.

Section 5 of the Amnesty Implementing Rules states that applications for the grant of amnesty shall be filed within 2 years: from March 4, 2024 to March 4, 2026.

Without the amnesty, rebel returnees who are now willing to go back to the mainstream, run the risk of getting apprehended or issued arrest warrants for crimes committed during their time as armed men in the underground.

An amnesty is an official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offenses, or crimes committed in the pursuit of political beliefs.

Without an amnesty program, even with Bohol declared insurgency-free, former rebels who have lain law and laid down their arms to live as normal residents in the community, a warrant of arrest can come out against tem and commit them to face their suits in courts.

This would then deter people from formally coming out in the open to take the path to peace.

But with the LAB, rebel returnees can now be assured of a safe conduct pass as the LAB can issue a provisional Safe Conduct Pass, which makes them immune from getting apprehended to face suits against them. (RAHC/PIA-7/Bohol)

FACILITATING PEACE. National Amnesty Commission chair Atty. Leah Armamento and NTF ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., personally came to Bohol to launch the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) as over 400 rebel returnees and their families find new chance to earn a clean slate from their criminal past with a promise of amnesty. (PIABohoL)