TACLOBAN CITY — The Local Amnesty Board (LAB) of Catbalogan City has intensified the implementation of the government’s amnesty program in Samar and Northern Samar, issuing safe conduct passes(SCPs) to former rebels and extending assistance to detained applicants as part of ongoing efforts to promote peace and reintegration.
In separate activities across the two provinces, the LAB issued a total of 22 SCPs to former rebels who had applied for amnesty, while also assisting detainees whose applications are still being processed.
In Northern Samar, 11 SCPs were distributed during a ceremony held at the headquarters of the 20th Infantry Battalion in Barangay San Jorge, Las Navas. The former rebels had earlier submitted their amnesty applications under the government’s program.
An SCP is a document issued by the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) to applicants who are not in detention. It grants safe passage and legal protection while their amnesty applications are under evaluation by the Office of the President, unless revoked by the Commission.
The activity was attended by Col. Ericson Rosana, deputy brigade commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade; Lt. Col. Tim Clavel, commander of the 20th Infantry Battalion; 1st Lt. Aldren Altamero, civil-military operations officer; and a representative from the Las Navas Municipal Police Station. Prior to the distribution, the LAB Secretariat conducted a briefing to explain SCP guidelines and limitations.
Lt. Col. Clavel welcomed the former rebels’ decision to return to the fold of the law and assured them of the military’s continued support throughout the reintegration process.
Following the issuance of the passes, three former rebels who had previously applied for amnesty formally took their oath of allegiance before Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) lawyers Atty. Ferminlino C. Ultra and Atty. Joan Anacta. Three additional former rebels also filed their amnesty applications during the same activity.
In a separate ceremony at the Matuguinao Municipal Hall in Samar, the LAB issued another 11 SCPs to former rebels, after a similar briefing on SCP guidelines conducted by the LAB Secretariat. The event was attended by 2nd Lt. Ricky Isiderio, commanding officer of Alpha Company, 19th Infantry Battalion, and Police Executive Master Sergeant Alberto Vencio of the Matuguinao Police Station.
During the ceremony, one beneficiary shared a testimonial expressing remorse for past actions and sought forgiveness from the government. PEMS Vencio reminded the recipients that the SCP covers only offenses related to insurgency and does not provide immunity for crimes committed after the issuance of the document.
Meanwhile, the Catbalogan LAB, in coordination with the 19th Infantry “Commando” Battalion, conducted a jail visitation at the Allen Sub-Provincial Jail in Barangay Sabang Zone 1, Allen, Northern Samar. The team assisted two detained high-profile former rebels by providing updates on an existing amnesty application and facilitating the processing of a Custodial Debriefing Report for another detainee who expressed willingness to apply for amnesty.
The LAB said it will return to the facility with a Public Attorney’s Office lawyer to administer the required oath of allegiance, ensuring that all legal requirements are completed as part of the former rebels’ reintegration into mainstream society.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
