Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte
April 11, 2025

“Isa sa pinakamalungkot na yugto sa ating kasaysayan ay ang labanan ng Pilipino laban sa kapwa Pilipino… Kaya ngayong araw na ito, muli nating pinatutunayan na mas mangingibabaw ang pagkaka-isang-lahi,” announced President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the formal signing of a Memorandum Order authorizing the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) to issue Safe Conduct Passes for individuals seeking amnesty in a ceremony at the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, Philippine Army, Camp BGen. Gonzalo H. Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao Del Norte on April 11, 2025.

“Sa diwa ng pagkakaisa at paghilom ng bayan, ang ating pamahalaan, sa pamamagitan ng National Amnesty Commission, ay magsisimula nang magbigay ng Safe Conduct Passes sa mga dating rebelde na may kinakaharap na arrest warrant para sa mga kasong may kaugnayan sa kanilang paninindigang pampulitika,” he stated.

An initiative of President Marcos Jr., the Safe Conduct Passes are designed to protect amnesty applicants from arrest and persecution while encouraging those engaged in armed conflict to abandon violence. “Ang paglagda natin ngayon ng Memorandum Order ay patunay na handa ang inyong pamahalaan na mag-abot ng kamay sa sinumang nagnanais magbalik-loob sa batas [at sa] ating lipunan,” he added.

The Chief Executive reiterated the Administration’s commitment to welcome those who genuinely wish to return to the fold of the law, stating, “Bukas po ang aming pinto. Kung taos-puso ang inyong pagbabago, handa ang pamahalaan na makinig, umalalay at sumuporta sa inyong pagbabalik-loob.”

President Marcos Jr. also urged various government agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), to ensure that the Safe Conduct Passes are recognized and respected, serving as essential tools for achieving peace.

“Magsilbi sana tayong tulay sa pagkamit ng kapayapaan at pagpapalakas ng bansa sa pamamagitan ng paghikayat at [pag-alalay] sa dating mga rebeldeng nagnanais maging produktibong bahagi ng ating lipunan. Ating itinataguyod ang isang Bagong Pilipinas kung saan ang bawat mamamayan ay namumuhay nang walang takot at may dangal,” he said in closing.

As of date, the NAC has received 2,518 applications from various armed rebel groups: Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa – Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB)-Tabara-Paduano Group (TPG); Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF); and Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). The NAC is currently accepting amnesty applications until March 2026.

*****