05 July 2024 (Pagadian City) – The National Amnesty Commission (NAC), through its Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Pagadian City, with the support of Honorable Mayor Samuel S. Co, has made significant strides in fostering peace and reconciliation. In collaboration with the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division of the Philippine Army, the NAC received a total of 87 amnesty applications from former rebels (FRs) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). Most of these applicants are members of the Subanen tribe from the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The activity was held at the headquarters of the 53rd Infantry Battalion in Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur. The event was part of a broader initiative to inform FRs about the government’s amnesty program and guide them through the application process.

Major General Gabriel C. Viray III, the Commander of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, Philippine Army, emphasized the importance of the amnesty program: “The amnesty program is designed to offer former rebels a path back to mainstream society, enabling them to contribute positively to their communities and to our nation’s peace and development. The 1st Infantry Tabak Division is fully committed to supporting this program and ensuring its success. We believe that through this partnership, we can achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.”

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