THE Local Amnesty Board (LAB) of Zamboanga del Sur has started processing and evaluating amnesty applications submitted by 24 former rebels, now called friends rescued, who had previously been associated with insurgent groups, the military said.
The 53rd Infantry Battalion (53IB) said the processing and evaluation started when the LAB of Zamboanga del Sur held a conference on Amnesty Program on Thursday, January 23, 2025, in Pagadian City, taking a significant step towards reintegration.
The 53IB said the conference featured notable participants, including Lawyer Ralph Villa, a representative from the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Prosecutor's Office; Lawyer Georgina Ariosa-Lopez, a representative from Pagadian City Legal Office; and, Lawyer Allysa Marie Catalan, a representative from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
The event, attended by key legal and government representatives, highlighted the ongoing collaboration with stakeholders to maintain peace and order in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.
The 24 friends rescued who submitted their amnesty applications are under the care and guidance of the 53IB.
“This initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to encourage peace and order by facilitating the reintegration of Friends Rescued into mainstream society, allowing them to contribute to nation-building,” the 53IB said in a statement.
The program emphasized the government's commitment to fostering peace, healing, and reconciliation through the Amnesty Program.
The 53IB said it aims to provide friends rescued a pathway to reintegrate into society and engage in nation-building efforts.
On November 22, 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., issued Proclamation 404, granting amnesty to the former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) or their front organizations who have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal laws in furtherance of their political beliefs. (SunStar Zamboanga)