Amnesty applications

deadline, running out

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)— With the offer for amnesty to rebels who advocated and actively joined the armed struggle slowly running out, the call for applications sound anew, for Boholanos who want a new life in the next years.

Bohol Local Amnesty Board coordinator Romeo Teruel, who also sits as the focal person for the government drive on ending local communist armed conflict (ELCAC), reminded Boholanos who were members of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army National Democratic Front and their mass base supporters to apply for amnesty as the deadline is fast approaching.

“March 13, 2026 is the last day of filing for the amnesty applications from the former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF,” he said before members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council gathered at the Capitol Ceremonial Hall December 12.

Teruel, who coordinated for Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado to seek the approval of the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) to erect the LAB, said this is to make accessible to Boholanos the limited chances to finally be sleeping back in their homes with their families.

Opened to help former armed rebels in finally shaking off the fear that any law enforcement officer arrest them and make them face the consequences of their actions while in the underground, the amnesty, when granted, totally erases all the crimes imputed to them, while in the pursuit of political beliefs.

The amnesty however only covers political offenses and does not include those serious crimes committed against persons, crimes against humanity, common crimes or drug related crimes and sexual offenses, clarifies LAB Bohol secretarian Chiarra Nicole Alinob.

To date, LAB Bohol has received 160 amnesty applications from former members of the rebel group as of December 11, reports Teruel, adding that the Board has caused the issuance by the NAC of 16 safe conduct passes to requesting amnesty applicants.

The safe conduct pass, when issued to an amnesty applicant, assures him of temporary freedom of movement

Without fear of being arrested, any warrants or law enforcement operations against him would be suspended.

In Bohol, of the 160 applications, 49 have cases file in courts, while the remaining applicants applied for amnesty even when they have no recorded offenses filed in any court.

For prospective new appplicants, they can communicate or send their trusted friend, contact, relative or family member to coordinate with LAB Bohol, so the Board can initiate oreintations and process the application, Teruel said.

LAB Bohol holds office inside the PCDO on the ground floor of the new Capitol, or interested applicants can email to: nac.labsecretariat.bohol@gmail.com. (PIABohol)

GONE IN 3 MONTHS. The offer for amnesty is not permanent, and after a few months, the Local Amnesty Board would not accept applications anymore, that applications have to be done soon, urges Romeo Teruel. (PIABohol)