THE Philippine National Police headed by General Benjamin Acorda Jr. expressed full support to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to grant amnesty to communist rebels and members of armed groups.

“The Philippine National Police stands in full support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.‘s comprehensive peace initiatives, particularly the recent proclamations granting amnesty to rebels and insurgents,” the PNP said in a press statement.

The Commander-in-Chief granted amnesty to former members of several rebel groups, including the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front, the breakaway CPP/NPA group Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front.

The crimes covered by the presidential amnesty include rebellion or insurrection; conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection; disloyalty of public officers or employees; inciting to rebellion or insurrection; sedition and more.

The PNP also said it “stands firmly behind efforts that promote lawful reintegration, urging individuals to participate in processes of reconciliation and rehabilitation.”

“The PNP remains steadfast in embracing the principles of unity and service, aligning our actions and initiatives to ensure the safety, welfare and progress of all citizens.

We are dedicated to building a better and more prosperous nation for future generations, a realization of the vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas,” PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean S. Fajardo added.

Under Proclamation No. 403, the Chief Executive granted amnesty to members of the RPMP-RPA-ABB “who have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and special penal laws, specifically those who committed crimes in pursuit of their political beliefs, whether punishable under the Revised Penal Code or special penal laws.”

These crimes include, but are not limited to rebellion or insurrection; conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection; disloyalty of public officers or employees; inciting to rebellion or insurrection; sedition; conspiracy to commit sedition; and inciting to sedition.

The offenses also include illegal assembly; illegal association; direct assault; indirect assault; resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person; tumults and other disturbances of public order; unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances; alarms and scandals; illegal possession of firearms, ammunition or explosives, provided that these crimes or offense were committed in furtherance of, incident to, or in connection with the crimes of rebellion or insurrection.

Proclamation 405 and Proclamation 406 grants amnesty to members of the MILF and MNLF who have committed crimes punishable under the RPC and Special Penal Laws to advance their political beliefs.

The Palace said that MILF and MNLF members who had been detained, charged, or convicted for such acts or omissions “may file an application for amnesty provided that the crime for which amnesty may be granted must have been committed prior to the issuance of the Proclamation.”

Malacañang also said that for the members of the RPMP-RPA-ABB and the CPP-NPA-NDF, the amnesty does not cover those who have committed the following crimes: kidnap for ransom, massacer, rape, terrorism, crimes committed against chastity as defined in the Revised Penal Code, crimes committed for personal ends, violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, grave violations of the Geneva Convention of 1949, and genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearances and other gross violations of human rights.