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Sunday, April 27, 2008
Arroyo exhorts Congress to affirm amnesty proclamation
DUMAGUETE CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged the Senate and House of Representatives to affirm government's amnesty proclamation to pave the way for communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels to "rejoin" mainstream society.
Arroyo issued the call during a private meeting with rebel returnees from Negros Island in one of the rooms of the Negros Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City recently.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
She afterwards proceeded to the reception area to attend the luncheon hosted by the Provincial Government in honor of former Negros Oriental third district congressman Herminio Teves who is celebrating his 88th birthday.
"(Kaya) nanawagan tayo sa Kongreso na sana i-confirm na nila itong ating amnesty proclamation na magkakaroon ng pagkakataon na makabalik muli sa lipunan itong ating mga kapatid na galing sa loob ng kilusan (I am calling on Congress to confirm the amnesty proclamation to pave the way for the return of our brothers who are in the insurgency movement)," the President said in her brief message.
A congressional confirmation of Arroyo's amnesty proclamation would hasten the process for communist rebels to rejoin society, she added.
Aside from the rebel returnees she met with that afternoon, many more rebels in Negros Oriental and other parts of the country have expressed their willingness to surrender their arms and end their rebellion, but are waiting for Congress to affirm the amnesty proclamation, Arroyo further said.
The rebels are apprehensive that they would be charged with rebellion and other criminal complaints if they give up their arms without the amnesty proclamation. (EBS/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (April 27, 2008 issue)
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