AFP chief backs amnesty grant to former rebels

ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Andres Centino favors the grant of amnesty to former rebels as part of the government’s peace program to bring the insurgents back into mainstream society.

In an interview on the “Balik-Loob sa Pagbabago” program, Centino said the country should pursue holistic approach to encourage the rebels to lay down arms.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) cited the Task Force Balik-Loob for reintegrating 37,413 former rebels and extremists back to civil society.

“I have advocated that other approaches of government in dealing with insurgency should be considered, such as yung pagbigay talaga ng amnesty,” Centino said.

He also revealed that some members of the New People’s Army ( NPA) were hesitant to surrender because of pending court cases against them.

Centino noted that non- combat ways, such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program ( E- CLIP) of the government and other modules allow the AFP to go after the insurgents without engaging in skirmishes.

The AFP chief called on the remaining NPA members to return to the fold of the law, saying the AFP has a “catalyst in harnessing the collective efforts of the government and other agencies that aimed to put an end to the insurgency movements in the country.”

“The strength of the communist terrorist group has been significantly reduced and their presence is only in a few remaining areas in the country, and that is where our focus is. We are confident that it will not take long before their force is reduced to a minimum,” Centino said.