15-16 December, 2025 (Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur) β In a significant step toward sustaining peace and reconciliation, a total of 48 Friends Rescued (FRs) successfully applied for amnesty through the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) Butuan during a two-day intake program held at Camp Vicente Pimentel Sr.
In a message delivered during the activity, Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel reaffirmed the provincial governmentβs strong commitment to supporting former rebels. He emphasized the provinceβs dedication to assisting Friends Rescued as they rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
The activity highlighted the strong collaboration between the Surigao del Sur Provincial Government, through its Hamugaway Peace Center, and LAB Butuan. Ms. Hershey Nunez, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Hamugaway Peace Center, led the coordination of comprehensive support services provided to the applicants throughout the intake process.
Meanwhile, Police Colonel Jeffrey Lawrence D. Mauricio, Provincial Director of the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office, underscored the Philippine National Policeβs full support for the amnesty initiative. In his message, read by Police Lieutenant Colonel Jose E. Lumacang, Deputy Provincial Director for Operations, PCOL Mauricio assured that the PNP remains ready to assist in ensuring the efficient processing of amnesty applications and expressed optimism for favorable outcomes for all applicants.
Legal assistance was likewise ensured during the activity, with the Surigao del Sur Provincial Public Attorneyβs Office, under the leadership of Atty. Porferio Baluran Jr., providing notarization services to properly authenticate the applicantsβ documents.
The presentation of the 48 applicants was facilitated by seven PNP units, demonstrating a coordinated law enforcement effort. These units included the Surigao del Sur 1st and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Companies, the Provincial Intelligence UnitβSDS, the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office, and the municipal police stations of San Agustin, Cantilan, and Lianga.
Held at Camp Vicente Pimentel Sr. in Barangay Talaje, the venue provided a secure and dignified environment for the former combatants as they formally pursued their return to peaceful civilian life.
The December intake activity reflects LAB Butuanβs steady progress in advancing the governmentβs reintegration efforts across the region. Since its establishment earlier this year, the board has consistently facilitated amnesty applications, offering former rebels a legitimate pathway to rejoin society with dignity and institutional support.
The amnesty program remains a vital component of the governmentβs broader peace-building strategy, aimed at promoting reconciliation by providing former combatants with opportunities for rehabilitation, livelihood assistance, and full reintegration into their respective communities.
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