MANILA – The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) has received a total of 7,758 amnesty applications as of January 26, with Chairperson Leah Tanodra-Armamento urging eligible former rebels to submit their applications before the March deadlines to ensure timely processing.

The majority of applicants—6,235—are former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). This is followed by 1,001 from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), fewer than 500 from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and 92 from the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas–Revolutionary Proletarian Army–Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB).

The filing deadlines are set as follows:

• CPP-NPA-NDF – March 13, 2026
• RPMP-RPA-ABB, MILF, MNLF – March 4, 2026

Tanodra-Armamento emphasized that even applicants with pending cases or warrants of arrest should not hesitate to apply. The NAC issues safe conduct passes, which temporarily suspend the service of arrest warrants while applications are under review, allowing applicants to move freely and complete the filing process.

“Once nabigyan ka ng safe conduct pass, ang warrant of arrest mo i-hold ang pag-serve sa iyo. Makakagalaw ka na parang wala kang warrant of arrest. Makaka-file ka ng application mo at makakakuha ng mga requirements na kailangan i-file mo sa amin para tumakbo ang iyong amnesty application,” she explained.

The Chairperson also highlighted the humanitarian aspect of safe conduct passes, especially for elderly applicants needing medical care or to visit family.

Tanodra-Armamento clarified that amnesty is evaluated individually, even for members of groups that have signed peace agreements with the government. Applications undergo verification with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), police, prosecutors, and courts before being forwarded to the Office of the President for final action.

The NAC also noted that the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTLF-ELCAC) has approved a resolution proposing a two-year extension for amnesty applications, though this is still pending review by the Office of the President.

“The important thing is to file before the deadline so we can process it. This is the opportunity being given by the government to our brothers who rebelled against the government,” Tanodra-Armamento said.