TACLOBAN CITY—Following their surrender, at least 23 former rebels from Samar province have submitted their applications to the National Amnesty Commission.
They submitted the requirements during the amnesty orientation and initial acceptance of amnesty applications at the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 87th Infantry Battalion in San Jose de Buan on Thursday.
During the orientation, Jazmine Odyssa Lutao, a representative of the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Catbalogan City, reassured former rebels and explained the purpose of addressing their pending cases while offering them a genuine chance to rebuild their lives.
“The orientation addresses questions asked by former rebels and participants on their concern about the amnesty program before they took their oaths of allegiance and the interview process,” the Army’s 87th Infantry Battalion said in a statement.
LAB-Catbalogan expects additional applications in the next amnesty orientation and initial acceptance of applications activity.
Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Proclamation 404, also known as the Amnesty Program, former members and current members of the communist insurgents have until March 14, 2026, to submit their amnesty applications.
The program is not limited to New People’s Army rebels but extends to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front. (PNA)