Senate OK’s rebel amnesty
THE PHILIPPINE Senate on Monday adopted resolutions concurring with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s proclamations granting amnesty to former rebels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), among other groups.
The chamber approved House Concurrent Resolutions Nos. 19, 21 and 22, which concur with Presidential Proclamations 403, 405 and 406, which all grant amnesty to ex-rebel members of MILF, MNLF and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade.
The Senate is still set to deliberate on a separate House resolution concurring with Proclamation 404, which seeks to grant amnesty to former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front.
“The congressional concurrence to the presidential proclamations signifies the Filipino people’s support for the comprehensive peace efforts and genuine commitment of the government to attaining lasting peace,” Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Estrada, Jr., said in a statement. — John Victor D. Ordoñez