On 10 July 2024, the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) assisted former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) with their amnesty applications at Bacolod City College in Brgy Taculing, Bacolod City.
92 former rebels submitted their amnesty applications to the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) through its Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Bacolod City.
Under Proclamation No. 404, the amnesty program application is effective for two years, starting on 13 March 2024. CPP-NPA-NDF has no peace agreement with the government, unlike the other proclamations, so amnesty is only for former rebels or combatants.
Ms. Elena Roda Prado from the LAB Bacolod Secretariat stated that the willingness of these 92 former rebels to apply for amnesty demonstrates their trust in the government’s efforts to achieve lasting peace in the Negros Island Region.
LTC ZIEGFRED D TAYABAN INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of the 94IB, expressed, “Amnesty eliminates criminal liability for past political offenses, allowing individuals to be treated as if they had not committed any crimes. I hope the amnesty program will help reintegrate former rebels into mainstream society.”
“The Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) is close to collapsing. I suggest that the remaining active members of CPP-NPA-NDF give up their armed struggle and apply for the amnesty program before it expires,” LTC TAYABAN added.”
Credits: 94th Infantry Battalion, 3ID, PA
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