10 April 2025 (Catbalogan City) – The Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Catbalogan City, Samar, recently conducted an outreach activity in San Jose de Buan, Samar, to facilitate the amnesty application process for 12 additional former rebels. Located 38 kilometers away from the LAB office in Catbalogan, the team traveled nearly two hours to provide onsite processing with the help of the 87th Infantry Battalion.

During the activity, Ms. Hazellyn Borja, Peace Program Officer II, led an orientation on the Amnesty Program and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. Meanwhile, Ms. Jazmine Odyssa B. Lutao and Ms. Princess Kyle Tamayo facilitated the re-oath taking of 22 former rebels before the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), which was affected by new guidelines requiring notarization of sworn affidavits.

The LAB Catbalogan City team, supported by Chairperson Gov. Sharee Ann T. Tan, aims to encourage more applications through such outreach activities, making it more economical and safer for former rebels.

The LAB Secretariat has received a total of 375 applications as of the latest update. Other officials present during the event included Atty. Lucie Antonette Lucero, Atty. Jeffrey Brent B. Lorenzo, and Atty. Albert B. Baclea from the Public Attorney’s Office, and Margie R. Dela Cruz and Francisco B. Paca-anas from the Area Management Unit Eastern Visayas Special Project Team/ Eastern Visayas Peace Builders Development Federation Secretariat.

#BagongBuhaySaMapayapangBagongPilipinas