TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 27 former rebels from Eastern Samar have submitted their applications for the government’s amnesty program.
The submissions were made during an orientation held at the 78th Infantry Battalion camp in Borongan City, where the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Catbalogan City provided detailed information about the program, its application process, and the benefits available to those who qualify.
The amnesty program is open to former rebels facing charges such as rebellion or insurrection, conspiracy to commit rebellion, illegal possession of firearms, and other related offenses.
However, crimes that are not eligible for amnesty include kidnapping for ransom, rape, massacre, crimes against chastity, violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, grave violations of the Geneva Convention, and other offenses that are internationally prohibited from being amnestied.
Among those who participated in the orientation was Jazzmine Odyssa B. Lutao, peace program officer III from the National Amnesty Commission. She was joined by Imelda Bonifacio, head of the Amnesty Management Unit at the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Peace Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), along with other officials from the Eastern Visayas Special Project Team (SPT).
Also present were Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (ESPPO) Provincial Director Police Colonel Ernesto R. Macasil, PTF-ELCAC Focal Person Engr. Joselito Mutia from the Provincial Government of Eastern Samar, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Officer-in-Charge Lina Dulfo, and DILG-Eastern Samar Cluster Head Jerry Enriquez.
These officials expressed their continued support for the former rebels as they reintegrate into mainstream society.
As of now, the three Samar provinces have approximately 200 former rebels who have applied for the amnesty program.
They are being assisted by various infantry battalions assigned to the island, including those from the 87th IB (23 applicants), 46th IB (21), 3rd IB (6), 52nd IB (22), 19th IB (38), and 43rd IB (62).
The amnesty program is part of Executive Order No. 47, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in November 2023.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
