FORMER President and now Lakas Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of Pampanga has filed a bill granting amnesty to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA), the National Democratic Front (NDF) and other individuals and groups involved in past political conflicts.
In House Bill 490, Arroyo said accepting rebels back into the folds of the law through amnesty and eventually providing them access to the government’s existing socioeconomic services are essential to attaining peace and reconciliation in the country.
“An amnesty program is an integral component of the Duterte administration’s comprehensive peace efforts. There is an urgent need and expressed desire to extend amnesty to members of the CPP, NPA, NDF and other individuals and groups involved in past political conflicts as an instrument of reconciliation and as a path for their return to a peaceful, democratic and pluralistic society,” she said.
Under the bill, the amnesty shall be granted to members of the CPP, NPA, NDF and other individuals and groups involved in past political conflicts who shall apply under this act.
“Amnesty shall cover the crime of rebellion and all other crimes included therein or incident thereto, in pursuit of political beliefs as defined by jurisprudence, or where the individual or group was accused because of political conflict, where punishable under the Revised Penal Code or special laws,” the measure said.
“Provided that the amnesty granted under this act shall not cover the crimes against chastity, rape, torture, kidnapping for ransom, use and trafficking of illegal drugs and violations of international law or convention and protocols, even if alleged to have been committed in pursuit of political beliefs or if the individual or group was accused because of political conflict,” it added.
The bill said any members of the CPP, NPA, NDF and other individual or groups involved in past political conflicts who have committed any act or omission in pursuit of political belief, or who was accused because of political conflict, including those detained, charged or convicted for such acts or omission, may file an application for amnesty.
It said the National Committee on Social Integration, upon due deliberation, shall issue the corresponding Certificate of Amnesty to qualified applicants. The filing of an application shall not ipso facto result in a grant of amnesty.
The bill also said amnesty under the act shall extinguish any criminal liability for acts committed in pursuit of political beliefs, without prejudice to the grantee’s civil liability for injuries or damages causes to private persons.
It added the grant of amnesty shall restore the grantee’s civil and political rights lost or suspended by virtue of conviction for crime/s covered thereby.
The bill said local amnesty centers shall be established nationwide under Peace and Order Council of provinces and cities.