ORTIGAS CENTER, Pasig — As year 2024 comes to an end, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) announced that a total of 1,665 former rebels have so far applied for the amnesty program being offered by the government.

Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. disclosed that at least 1,260 of the amnesty applicants are now under verification with another 331 up for conference, 33 for resolution and 41 others having been resolved by the Local Amnesty Boards and are up for review by the National Amnesty Commission (NAC).

"Of these applications, 1,061 were former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and their front organizations, 344 from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), 241 from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and nother 19 from the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade," Secretary Galvez noted.

Meantime, the peace adviser asserted that the administration of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. is determined to continue implementing peace obligations to finally end the conflicts and attain peace throughout the country.

This, he said, is the assurance given by the president even as he highlighted the major accomplishments of the OPAPRU in line with the implementation of signed peace agreements, particularly peace and development interventions in once conflict-affected communities.

“This year has turned out to be another very successful one for our agency and the comprehensive Philippine peace process as a whole,” he underscored.

According to Galvez, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the landmark peace agreement signed between the government and the MILF marked its 10th year of bringing greater peace, progress and stability in Mindanao.
OPAPRU, in partnership with the Japanese government, commemorated the occasion through a symposium that gave the international community an overview of both the progress made and the challenges being faced in the implementation of the Bangsamoro peace process.

Galvez also highlighted the achievements made by the national government under the Small Arms and Light Weapons Management (SALW-M) Program which has led to the turnover of approximately 2,000 loose and stenciled firearms from Basilan, Maguindanao, Tawi-tawi and Lanao del Norte.

He stressed that the implementation of the SALW-M Program aims to ensure peace and order in the Bangsamoro, as the region prepares for the possible conduct of the first parliamentary elections in 2025.
Galvez likewise mentioned the 1996 Final Peace Peace Agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) also marked its 29th year, noting that former combatants continue to reap the benefits of the MNLF Transformation Program.

“Last week, we turned over Php 25 million worth of farming equipment to MNLF members, which aim to boost their agricultural productivity and allow them to earn higher incomes,” he cited.

In ending, the peace adviser also proudly shared that “the peace process with the Kapatiran is nearing its conclusion,” noting that more than 90 percent of [the government’s] commitments have been fulfilled.

"OPAPRU’s efforts to transform former rebels, their families and communities in peace and development focus areas is now bearing fruit as 34 out of 51 provincial local government units have crafted their respective Transformation Program plans," Galvez concluded.