Amnesty grants is integral part of NTF-ELCAC – Galvez – Presidential Communications Office

The grant of amnesty to former rebels is an integral part of the confidence-building measures under the National Task Force for Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-ELCAC).

This was the statement today by Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez as he sought the support of lawmakers for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s proclamation granting amnesty to former rebels.

In his statement during the joint meeting of the House Committee on Justice and the Committee on National Defense and Security, Secretary Galvez emphasized that this would strengthen the confidence-building measures of the government.

“The granting of amnesty is an integral part of the comprehensive peace process. It is a path towards normalization that would allow these former rebels not only to fully reintegrate themselves into mainstream society as peaceful, productive and law-abiding citizens, but more importantly, enable them to rebuild their lives and ensure a better future for themselves and their families,” he said.

“Moreover, through the government’s amnesty program, which is among confidence-building measures under the (NTF-ELCAC) Local Peace Engagement Framework and the Normalization Program under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), we want to demonstrate to these former rebels that they have made the right decision in laying down their arms and returning to the folds of the law. we want to show them that good things come to those who choose to walk the path of peace,” he said.

He further stated that “(t)he granting of amnesty is an integral part of the comprehensive peace process. It is a path towards normalization that would allow these former rebels not only to fully reintegrate themselves into mainstream society as peaceful, productive and law-abiding citizens, but more importantly, enable them to rebuild their lives and ensure a better future for themselves and their families.”

The NTF-ELCAC, created under EO 70 signed in December 2018, is the whole-of-government approach in defeating the local communist terrorist group and obtaining sustainable and inclusive peace throughout the country.

“Moreover,