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President Gloria Arroyo has asked Congress to approve a new amnesty
for communist rebels, reiterating that the use of “soft power of
economic progress” and dialogue are proven effective
counterinsurgency strategies.
However, President Arroyo said her
administration remains firm on achieving its target of neutralizing
the communist insurgency by the end of her term in 2010, stressing
that the amnesty program is for those who wish to be reintegrated
into society.
Mrs. Arroyo signed the new amnesty proclamation
in September last year, but Congress has yet to pass a joint
resolution to make it effective.
If the Philippines is to achieve First-World
status in 20 years, she said it is necessary to put a stop to what
she called the rebels’ “ideological nonsense” and criminal
acts.
“The communists have spent years as a
low-level threat; it is time for their disruption and violation of
human rights to be put to rest so the nation can move ahead. They
impede the progress and development of many rural areas,” she
said.
The amnesty proclamation covers the crime of
rebellion and all other crimes “in pursuit of political
beliefs,” but not crimes against chastity, rape, torture,
kidnapping for ransom, the use and trafficking of illegal drugs, and
other crimes committed for personal ends and violations of
international law or conventions and protocols, “even if alleged
to have been committed in pursuit of political beliefs.”
Those who might file for amnesty include those
who have committed the political crimes on or before the effectivity
of the proclamation. Those who have already been granted amnesty
under previous amnesty proclamations are no longer qualified.
Former rebels who have been convicted by a court
may benefit from a grant of amnesty by the restoration of the
applicants’ civil or political rights.
-- Angelo S. Samonte
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