THE House committees on justice and on national defense yesterday adopted resolutions concurring with President Marcos Jr.’s proclamations granting amnesty to rebels who have committed crimes for their political beliefs.
The approval came hours after political party leaders of the House of Representatives issued a joint statement supporting the President’s decision to grant amnesty and a day after Vice President Sara Duterte opposed it and called the Marcos government’s decision to hold peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ (NDFP), the umbrella organization of communist groups in the country, “an agreement with the devil.”
The lawmakers approved House Concurrent Resolutions 19, 20, 21, and 22 concurring with Presidential Proclamations 403, 404, 405 and 406 granting amnesty to former members of four rebel groups — Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Under the resolutions, amnesty is granted to those who have committed crimes in pursuit of their political beliefs, whether punishable under the Revised Penal Code or special penal laws but not limited to the following: rebellion or insurrection; conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection; disloyalty of public officers or employees; inciting to rebellion or insurrection; sedition; conspiracy to commit sedition; inciting to sedition; illegal assembly; illegal association; direct assault; indirect assault; resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person; tumults and other disturbances of public order; unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances; alarms and scandals; illegal possession of firearms, ammunition or explosives, provided that these crimes or offense were committed in furtherance of, incident to, or in connection with the crimes of rebellion or insurrection; and those charged, detained or convicted of common crimes but who can establish by substantial evidence that they have actually committed said crimes in pursuit of political beliefs.
Apart from Speaker Martin Romualdez, the other authors of the concurrent resolutions are senior deputy speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Jr., majority leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, minority leader Marcelino Libanan, senior deputy majority leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, and Tingong party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.
The Speaker has said the House will pass the resolutions before Congress goes on Christmas break on December 16.
“The timely adoption of these concurrent resolutions is attuned with the spirit of hope, peace, and joy that the Christmas season brings,” said Romualdez.
The resolutions express the support for the government “in nurturing a climate conducive for peace, and in implementing programs for reconciliation and reintegration of rebels into mainstream society.”
Likewise, the resolutions convey that both Houses of Congress recognize the need to act on rebel returnees request for the grant of amnesty so that they may live in peace in the pursuit of productive endeavors.
COMMITMENT
For members of secessionist movements in the South, the concurrent resolutions said both houses of Congress share the view that the granting of amnesty enables the delivery of an important commitment of the government under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, particularly the gradual normalization of the previously conflict-affected areas.
The resolutions said the grant of amnesty “will create a climate conducive for peace and reconciliation, pave the way for them to reintegrate into the society, and provide them access to the government’s socio-economic services.”
“There is a need for the government to act on rebel and insurgent returnees’ request for the grant of amnesty so that they may live in peace in the pursuit of productive endeavors without prejudice to any legal arrangement that may result from a negotiated settlement which the government is pursuing with the various rebel and insurgent groups,” it said.
FRONT ORGANIZATIONS
House assistant minority leader Arlene Brosas questioned HCR No. 20 granting amnesty to the “former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF or their front organizations,” saying that by not making a distinction between unarmed and armed individuals who were charged with the mentioned offenses, the amnesty proclamations restore the already repealed Republic Act No. 1700 or the Anti-Subversion Act.
Under Section 1, Brosas pointed out, “unarmed civilians who are charged with illegal assembly are conflated with those who actually took up arms.”
“These proclamations restore Republic Act No. 1700 or the Anti-Subversion Act, which penalizes membership in subversive organizations espousing political beliefs,” she said.
“These proclamations do not distinguish those who took up arms from unarmed citizens. There is also a mention of front organizations which are always being used to tag people’s organizations, non-government organizations, civil society organizations as communists and harass them and endanger the lives of the activists.”
Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., during the meeting of the House justice and national defense committees, said the grant of amnesty to communist rebels is an integral part of the comprehensive peace process.
He said it is also a path towards normalization that would allow the former rebels to fully reintegrate themselves into mainstream society as peaceful, productive and law-abiding citizens, and at the same time, enable them to rebuild their lives and ensure a better future for themselves and their families.
“Moreover, through the government’s amnesty program, which is among confidence-building measures under the (NTF-ELCAC) Local Peace Engagement Framework and the Normalization Program under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, we want to demonstrate to these former rebels that they have made the right decision in laying down their arms and returning to the folds of the law. we want to show them that good things come to those who choose to walk the path of peace,” he added.
SOLDIERS’ SENTIMENTS
Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr said he “cannot blame” Duterte, vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), along with National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, for opposing the planned peace negotiations.
“In fact this opinion is shared by many in the country, even soldiers,” Brawner told a television interview
“In our Viber group, that is the same sentiment of others because of our experience with them (communists),” he added, referring to peace negotiations with the communists held by past governments.
Brawner noted the release of political prisoners on the guise that they will be participating in peace negotiations, which he said made stronger the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the communist group.
Brawner expressed belief that the agreement between government and the NDFP to hold peace talks, which was announced last week, “could lead to lasting peace because first of all they said there will be no preconditions, there will be no ceasefire, there will be no release of political prisoners.”
“These are exploratory talks but in the meantime, we in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, I told all our troops to continue our operation,” he said.
Brawner said soldiers should not be bothered by the exploratory talks “as long as we know what our task is, what our mission is, and then we’ll have to continue with the operations we are doing.”
He said he told military commanders, during a command conference last Friday, that the peace talks “is one avenue where peace could come in, (the) lasting peace.”
“But in the meantime, we will continue with our mission, we’ll continue (with our operations against the communists),” said Brawner.
Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said it would have been better if Duterte talked “directly” to the President regarding her opinion on the peace talks “to quash speculations that politically they are headed to go in their separate ways.”
He asked the public to stop speculating.
“Again, I would like to reiterate my call for a ceasefire on political attacks by the different camps. Too early. Too many problems that need attention and we need to unite to be able to surmount these challenges,” he added.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said Duterte was only trying to express her opinion on the peace talks and does not necessarily mean she is opposing the President.
He said Duterte’s statement can be read as trying to convince the President to reconsider his decision on the peace negotiations.
‘HISTORIC MOVE’
House political leaders, In their statement, called President Marcos’ pursuit of peace “a historic move” which they said marks a “pivotal moment in our nation’s journey towards lasting peace and sustainable development.”
“As the united voice of the House of Representatives, representing all political parties, we collectively express our unwavering support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s initiative for peace and national unity,” said the joint statement that was released yesterday by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.
“President Marcos’ call for peace transcends political boundaries and speaks to the core of our shared values as Filipinos. It is a call for understanding, cooperation, and collective action towards a future where every citizen can live in harmony and prosperity,” the House leaders said.
Those who signed the joint statement were senior deputy speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr.; majority leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose M. Dalipe, and Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose S. Aquino II of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats; Rizal Rep. Michael John R. Duavit, Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, and Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC); Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, and Romblon Rep Eleandro Jesus Madrona of the Nacionalista Party (NP); Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, Antipolo City Rep. Robbie Puno, and Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia of the National Unity Party (NUP); Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Zaldy Co, Bicol Saro partylist Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan, and Barangay Health & Wellness partylist Rep. Angelica Natasha Co of the Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI); and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco of the Partido Navoteño and a representative of other political parties in the House.
“Recognizing the complexities and challenges of this peace process, we pledge our support and commitment to contribute constructively to these negotiations. We are united in the belief that through dialogue, empathy, and mutual respect, we can overcome historical divides and build a more inclusive and peaceful nation,” the political parties said. — With Jocelyn Montemayor, Victor Reyes and Raymond Africa
