13 March, 2026 (Catbalogan, Samar) – In observance of the statutory deadline for accepting of amnesty applications, the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) of Catbalogan, in collaboration with the Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO), facilitated the orientation and application of 80 “Friends Rescued” (FRs) at Camp Vicente Lukban, Brgy. Maulong.

Representing Provincial Director PCOL Arwin Tadeo, PLtCol Aquilino Pungcol, Deputy Provincial Director for Operations, overseen the intake session. The applicants were endorsed by various security units, including the 1st PMFC, the 805th Regional Mobile Force Battalion, and the 3rd, 20th, 52nd, 63rd, and 87th Infantry Battalions.

The LAB Secretariat conducted a comprehensive briefing on the government’s amnesty program, detailing the legal procedures and the specific crimes eligible for coverage. The LAB emphasized the significance of the program, noting the fortunate timing for the FRs who secured their applications on the final day of the filing period.

The event concluded with all 80 participants formally filing their applications and taking their oaths before representatives from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Catbalogan, marking a critical step in their transition back to mainstream society.

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