The government may extend its amnesty program for former rebels until 2028 amid what officials described as a “strong turnout of applicants nationwide.”
National Amnesty Commission (NAC) chairperson lawyer Leah Tanodra-Armamento said a proposal to extend the amnesty period—originally set under Executive Order No. 47—is awaiting approval by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
NAC data showed that more than 16,000 individuals have applied for amnesty, surpassing the initial target of 10,000.
National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) executive director Ernesto Torres Jr. said the figures reflect a growing shift among former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front toward peaceful reintegration.
“The numbers speak for themselves. This is not failure—this is a quiet but decisive victory for peace,” Torres said, as he dismissed claims by the communist insurgency movement that the amnesty initiative was an “epic failure.”
The NAC figures showed that 16,003 applications were received as of the deadline, including 13,633 from individuals linked to the CPP-NPA-NDF.
If approved, the extension would run until 2028 to ensure continuity of the program without requiring annual congressional concurrence.
Authorities said applications continue to be accepted and are being provisionally processed while awaiting the President’s decision.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Government eyes amnesty extension for ex-rebels to 2028”
