497 ex-NPA rebels apply for government amnesty, NTF-ELCAC urges more to join

Almost 500 former communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels have applied for amnesty under a government program, with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) urging remaining NPA members to avail of the offer.

Ernesto Torres Jr., executive director of NTF-Elcac, reported that 497 applications have been submitted so far and encouraged former rebels to 'return to the fold of the law and live in peace with your families.'

The amnesty program remains open until March 6, 2026, but applicants only have until March 4, 2026, for Congress' concurrence to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s proclamations.

Nine Local Amnesty Boards (LABs) are now operational across strategic areas in Metro Manila, Visayas, Mindanao, and other regions to facilitate the amnesty process for political crimes or crimes committed in pursuit of political beliefs.

The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) reported that as of July 12, a total of 578 amnesty applications have been received, with 497 from former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA.