MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday signed a memorandum order authorizing the National Amnesty Commission to issue safe conduct passes (SCP) to amnesty applicants.
Marcos, in his speech during the ceremonial signing of the order, said former rebels who are facing arrest warrants for cases related to their political beliefs but now intend to assist the government to improve the nation will now be protected through the passes.
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“Ang mga safe conduct passes na ito ay hindi lang magbibigay ng proteksyon sa mga aplikante ng amnestiya laban sa pagkaaresto, pagkakulong at pag-uusig. Higit sa lahat, ito ay isang paanyaya sa lahat ng rebelde na ihinto ang armadong pakikibaka,” said Marcos.
(These safe conduct passes will not only protect amnesty applicants from arrest, detention, and prosecution. More importantly, they serve as an invitation to all rebels to end the armed struggle.)
The order, said Marcos, marks a “new page” for the country to start anew, set aside personal interests, and join together to build the nation’s progress.
“Ang paglagda ng memorandum order ay patunay na handa ang inyong pamahalaan na magabot ng kamay sa sino mang nagnanais magbalik loob sa batas ng ating lipunan,” he said.
(The signing of the memorandum order is proof that your government is ready to extend a hand to anyone who wishes to return to the fold of the law.)
Marcos expressed hope that all relevant agencies—particularly, the National Amnesty Commission, Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine National Police—will recognize the safe conduct passes.
Under memorandum order No. 36, SCP shall grant its holders the following privileges:
- Protection from arrest and prosecution for crimes covered by Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406b
- Authority and/or conformity of prosecutors to motions for suspension filed by SCP holders in any proceeding for crimes covered by the subject Proclamations; and
- Suspension of any reward, and the grant thereof, for the SCP holders’ capture.
Meanwhile, the limitations of the passes are as follows:
- The SCP shall not entitle its holders to be released from detention pursuant to a valid warrant of arrest.
- The SCP shall not entitle its holders to possess loose firearms and/or ammunition.
- The possession of SCPs shall not automatically confer amnesty to the holders thereof.
“The National Amnesty Commission is hereby authorized to impose other conditions and limitations of SCPs as they may deem necessary,” the order read.