Solon wants ASG, BIFF surrenderees included in Duterte’s amnesty proclamation

House Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to include in his amnesty program surrenderees from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Hataman said the amnesty proclamation should include not only members of some rebel groups but to all those who wish to lay down arms and surrender.

“Madami po sa mga miyembro ng ASG at BIFF na sumuko na at nagbaba ng armas ang patuloy pa ding inaaresto at nakukulong dahil walang amnesty. Karamihan sa kanila, hindi ideolohiya ang dahilan sa pagsali: madami po ang napilitan lang dahil sa kanilang kalagayan sa buhay. Many of them had no choice. Can’t we give them a peaceful option now?” asked Hataman.

Duterte recently approved several Presidential Proclamations, which will take effect upon concurrence by Congress, to carry out the objectives of the amnesty program.

An Executive Order was issued creating the National Amnesty Commission to facilitate and administer the amnesty.

According to Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., the National Amnesty Commission will cover the applications for amnesty of members of all rebels groups including the MILF, MNLF, CPP-NPA-NDF, Cordillera Bodong Administration – Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA), and the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade- Tabara Paduano Group (RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG) or KAPATIRAN.

Hataman said including former members of ASG and BIFF would boost the country’s fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

During his term as regional governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Hataman implemented the Program Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) for Peace and a total of 267 ASG members surrendered.

Half of those who surrendered said they joined because they needed protection; 28% said they joined because of friends or family; 15% said they joined due to poverty; and only 7% joined because of ideology.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)