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| 07 SEPTEMBER 2007 | ||
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| 07 SEPTEMBER 2007 | ||
| PGMA issues proclamation granting amnesty to CPP-NPA-NDF members, other communist rebels |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued on
Thursday Proclamation No. 1377 granting amnesty to members of the Community
Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF)
and other communist rebel groups in the country. The proclamation, which was signed by the President before she left Thursday morning for Sydney to attend the 15th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting hosted by Australia, takes effect “upon concurrence by a majority of all the members of Congress.” In Proclamation 1377, the President explained that “accepting rebels back into the folds of the law through amnesty, and eventually providing them access to the government’s existing socio-economic services, are essential to attaining peace and reconciliation” in the country. “An amnesty program is an integral component of the government’s comprehensive peace efforts as mandated in Executive Order No. 3 dated 28 February 2001,” the Chief Executive said, adding that the amnesty granted under Proclamation No. 1377 is part of the Social Integration Program for former rebels as provided under Administrative Order No. 172 she issued on March 23, 2007. “There is an urgent need and expressed desire to extend amnesty to members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and other communist rebel groups as an instrument of reconciliation, and as a path for their return to a peaceful, democratic, and pluralistic society,” the President said. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said certified copies of the proclamation have been transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives for concurrence in accordance with the Constitution. Under the proclamation, amnesty shall be granted to members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and other communist rebel groups who shall file application under oath with the National Committee on Social Integration (NCSI) and the Provincial or City Peace and Order Council Amnesty Centers (P/CPOC-ACs) within six (6) months from the effectivity of the proclamation. Section 2 of the proclamation provides that the amnesty “shall cover the crime of rebellion and all other crimes included therein or incident thereto in pursuit of political belief as defined by jurisprudence, whether punishable under the Revised Penal Code or special laws.” Not covered by the proposed amnesty are “crimes against chastity, rape, torture, kidnapping for ransom, use and trafficking of illegal drugs and other crimes for personal ends and violations of international law or convention and protocols, even if alleged to have been committed in pursuit of political beliefs.” The initial amount needed to implement the proclamation shall be sourced from the Office of the President, and released to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), the President said, adding that regular funds shall be provided for its implementation in the succeeding years under the General Appropriations Act (GAA). The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial/city office shall receive the amnesty applications for processing by the P/CPOC. Other salient points of the Proclamation are: Any member of the CPP-NPA-NDF and other communist rebel groups who has committed any act or omission in pursuit of political belief, referred to in Section 2, including those detained, charged or convicted for such acts or omission, may file an application for amnesty. Crimes for which amnesty may be granted must have been committed on or before the date of effectivity of the Proclamation. Those who have already been granted amnesty under previous amnesty proclamations shall no longer qualify for amnesty under Proclamation 1377. Those who have been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction may benefit from a grant of amnesty by the restoration of applicants’ civil or political rights only. Persons who applied for amnesty under previous proclamations but whose applications were not considered for having been made outside the reglementary period for filing, may apply under this Proclamation. The National Committee on Social Integration (NSCI) upon due deliberation, shall issue the corresponding Certificate of Amnesty to qualified applicants. The filing of an application herein shall not ipso facto result in a grant of amnesty. The grant of amnesty shall have the following effects: Amnesty under Proclamation 1377 shall extinguish any criminal liability for acts committed in pursuit of political beliefs, without prejudice to the grantee’s civil liability for injuries or damages caused to private persons. The grant of amnesty shall restore the grantee’s civil and political rights lost or suspended by virtue of conviction for crime/s covered thereby. Unless detained pursuant to law, a person who applies for amnesty shall be issued a Safe Conduct Pass by the Provincial or City Peace and Order Council Amnesty Center (P/CPOC-Acs). The Safe Conduct Pass shall provide immunity from warrantless arrests for offenses covered under this Proclamation. Applicants with firearms are required to turn over their firearms within 30 days from their filing of application for amnesty without incurring liability for illegal possession thereof. “Thereafter, illegal possession of firearms by any applicant or amnesty grantee shall be a ground for denial or revocation of the amnesty, without prejudice to legal prosecution for such illegal possession,” the proclamation said. |
| APEC welcome opportunity for RP -- PGMA |
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SYDNEY -- President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo views the three-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Forum here as an opportunity to engage the Philippines’ allies on key
economic issues, foreign relations and security, according to Press
Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye. A day after arriving here Thursday evening, Bunye said the President expects a continuing movement among the 21 APEC economies towards greater regional integration and trade liberalization. “We welcome this opportunity to thresh out varied issues,” he said. In their one-on-one meeting today on the sidelines of the APEC Forum, President Arroyo and US President George Bush are expected to discuss the situation in southern Philippines, US-RP military relations and free trade. Before leaving the Philippines for the APEC meet, the President said she would tell her American counterpart about the continuing success of the government’s peace-development program in Mindanao and her administration’s determination to eliminate the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. She had pointed out that the combination of the hard power of the military and the soft power of development, which her administration is pursuing in Mindanao “in very close partnership with the United States, is a very good paradigm that we can share with the world and the US can be proud of in sharing with the world because they are a very important part of that.” On President Arroyo’s meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, Bunye said the Chief Executive is expected to solicit Malaysia’s continuing support for the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) “from the point of view of the Philippines.“ She has expressed appreciation for Kuala Lumpur’s role in facilitating the peace process between the government and the MILF. Malaysia, along with other Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) countries, is a member of the international group monitoring the ceasefire in Mindanao. The President is likewise expected to report to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) the Philippines’ continuing economic turnaround following the institution of tough reforms. The Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) registered a 7.5 percent growth in the second quarter of 2007, the fastest three-month spurt in two decades. |
| DENR chief bares gov't position on climate change at APEC |
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SYDNEY – The Philippine government will insist
that any resolution by the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Forum on climate change should adhere to the framework of United Nations
resolutions since the UN involves all the countries in the world. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will take this position at the three-day APEC leaders forum which opened here today, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza said. “Clearly, we’re taking a position on what’s good for the country,” Atienza said, adding that the President, who is strongly committed to this stand, is expected to voice the Philippine position when the APEC leaders discuss the issue of climate change. Atienza was referring to attempts to make changes in the Kyoto protocol by countries identified as principal gas-emitters. Scientists have blamed gas emission for the global warming phenomenon. The President pointed out that a UN resolution has a binding characteristic, whereas, APEC doesn’t cover all the “climate makers” and its resolutions are non-binding. While the Philippines welcomes the inclusion of climate change in the agenda in the 15th APEC leaders’ forum here, President Arroyo is all for putting changes within the UN framework, not only for climate mitigation but also climate adaptation. “This issue means a lot to us since we are more of victims here (of gas emissions) than contributors to the growing problem,” explained Atienza who took over as DENR chief from Secretary Angelo Reyes only a month ago. The former Manila mayor described the government’s position as a strong catalyst and is reflected in the ministerial meetings he attended, and would be reaffirmed in the ongoing summit. He added that majority of the leaders in the Southeast Asian region share the Philippine sentiment on climate change. Aside from the APEC meeting, Atienza arrived here to address a mining convention on Sunday. He said he will stress the Philippine position on the environment to Australian businessmen interested in investing in the country’s mining sector, which is expected to evolve into a P10-billion industry. “The President wants us to take advantage of this sector since it will benefit local communities in the Philippines and help make the benefits of a growing economy trickle down to the poor,” he pointed out. |
| Amnesty proclamation a step towards peace and reconciliation, says PGMA |
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Presidential Proclamation No. 1377 is the Arroyo
administration’s latest step towards attaining peace and reconciliation in
the country. Signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo before leaving last Thursday for the 15th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in Sydney, Proclamation No. 1377 grants amnesty to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), and other communist rebel groups. The amnesty proclamation is “essential to attaining peace and reconciliation,” explained the President. The amnesty program is itself “an integral component” of the Arroyo administration’s comprehensive peace efforts as mandated in Executive Order No. 3 dated 28 February 2001 -- one of President Arroyo’s earliest peace overtures. The now six-year-old EO #3 defined “government policy and (the) administrative structure for the government’s comprehensive peace efforts.” Proclamation No. 1377 – which shall take effect upon concurrence by a majority of the members of Congress -- is also part of the Social Integration Program for former rebels as provided under Administrative Order No. 172 which President Arroyo issued some six months ago last March 23. Under AO 172, the principal body at the national level that would coordinate and monitor the implementation of Proclamation 1377 is the National Council for Social Integration (NCSI). In issuing Proclamation 1377, President Arroyo stressed that “accepting rebels back into the folds of the law through amnesty, and eventually providing them access to the government’s existing socio-economic services, are essential to attaining peace and reconciliation in the country.” Amnesty, added the Chief Executive, is an “instrument of reconciliation,” aside from being a “path for their (the communist rebels’) return to a peaceful, democratic, and pluralistic society.” Saying that “there is an urgent need and expressed desire to extend amnesty to members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and other communist rebel groups,” President Arroyo directed the local offices of the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) to accept the rebels’ applications for amnesty; and then submit these to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). The proclamation provides that at the local level, “Amnesty Centers shall be established under the Peace and Order Councils (POCs) of provinces and cities.” Such POCs shall be composed of the provincial/city Prosecutor’s Office as chair; and representatives from the following as members: Integrated Bar of the Philippines, DILG, Philippine National Police (PNP), brigade/battalion level of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the area, and the OPAPP. The initial funds needed to carry out the communist rebels’ voluntary return to the folds of the law shall be sourced from the Office of the President which shall release it to the OPAPP. Henceforth, the regular funds shall be included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA). Under the proclamation, amnesty shall be granted to members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and other communist rebel groups who shall file their application under oath with the NCSI and the provincial or city POC Amnesty Centers within six months from the proclamation’s effectivity. The Certificate of Amnesty shall be issued to qualified applicants by the NSCI upon due deliberation. The amnesty “shall cover the crime of rebellion and all other crimes included therein or incident thereto in pursuit of political belief as defined by jurisprudence, whether punishable under the Revised Penal Code or special laws,” according to Section 2 of the proclamation. Not covered are “crimes against chastity, rape, torture, kidnapping for ransom, use and trafficking of illegal drugs and other crimes for personal ends and violations of international law or convention and protocols, even if alleged to have been committed in pursuit of political beliefs.” A Safe Conduct Pass shall be issued to a person who applies for amnesty, unless he is detained pursuant to law. The said Safe Conduct Pass issued by the provincial or city POC Amnesty Centers shall provide immunity from warrantless arrests for offenses covered under the proclamation. |
| Bush cites RP, PGMA efforts against terrorism |
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SYDNEY – US President George W. Bush singled out
today in two separate occasions the Philippines’ leading role in
counter-terrorism, as he affirmed America’s “unshakeable” commitment to the
security of the Asia-Pacific region. “In the Philippines, President Arroyo has reached out to Muslim leaders and has called on Filipinos to reproach terrorists who kill, bomb and maim to enforce an ideology of evil,” Bush said in his opening address at the business summit of the Asia-Pacific-Economic Cooperation (APEC) here. Later at an informal meeting between the US president and the seven leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Bush repeated her commendation of the Philippine government’s efforts to combat terrorism. He branded the Abu Sayyaf Group as one of the two most dangerous terrorist networks in the region, the other being the Jemaah Islamiyah. Both groups, he added, are associated with Al Qaeda. “Nations in the Asia-Pacific understand the threat posed by these groups, and together we are following a clear strategy to defeat them,” he said. The efforts of the Philippines, as well as those of other countries, against terrorism are making a difference in the fight against the menace, the US president said. Visibly happy with Bush’s reference to the Philippine campaign against terrorism, President Arroyo said she told the US leader of her administration’s new paradigm of peace in Mindanao which is a combination of “hard and soft power.” “I told him about the Philippines’ new paradigm of peace in Mindanao which is a combination of the soft power (of development) and the hard power (of the military),” the President said. In the Philippines, the American leader said, the government has worked with international donors to deliver aid to Muslim communities that the terrorists have exploited. “We are building roads, bridges, schools and health clinics and providing micro-credit to local entrepreneurs,” he said. “The whole purpose of this part of the strategy is to isolate the terrorists and extremists and to encourage the local population to join the fight against them.” In the same breadth, Bush reiterated Washington’s unshakeable commitment to the security of the Asia-Pacific region, saying it is in the interest of the United States to actively support “these forces of moderation.” “Today we have alliances with Australia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines,” he said. These security relationships have helped keep the peace in this vital part of the world. They have created conditions that have allowed freedom to expand, markets to grow, commerce to flow and young democracies to gain in confidence.” Bush described the expansion of freedom and democracy in the Asia-Pacific region as “one of the great stories of our time.” Pointing out that where before, Australia and New Zealand were the only democracies on this side of the Pacific, “now, 60 years later we have witnessed Japan’s transformation into a thriving free society.” “We have seen the triumph of democracy in the Philippines,” he said. He added: “We have seen democratic transitions in Taiwan, South Korea and Indonesia. We have seen the birth of a new democratic nation in East Timor.” Describing the fight against terrorism as a new kind of war, Bush called on all peace-loving nations “to stop the radicals and the murderers.” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, who is accompanying the President in her Australian trip, said Bush also invited the ASEAN leaders to the 30th commemorative rites of the US-ASEAN relations in Texas, where they could continue their discussions of such issues as avian flu, climate change, trade and terrorism. The US President said he is “looking forward to host a continuing conversation on democracy or fighting terrorism or expanding trade or avian flu or climate change,” according to Romulo. The US President has also extended his invitation to the ASEAN leaders to visit the Bush family ranch in Crawford, Texas. At the same meeting, Bush announced that a US Ambassador to ASEAN would be designated to attend to US-ASEAN concerns. Due to time constraints, the one-on-one meeting of Bush and the President was made a pull-aside meeting during his session with the seven ASEAN leaders, Romulo said. “In my view that is already as good as a bilateral meeting,” Romulo said of the pull-aside meeting between the two leaders. “The fact that they were able to talk about the things they wanted to discuss is already a bilateral meeting,” he added. He also said that during the two-day retreat of the 21 APEC leaders, the President and Bush may have more time to discuss issues of common concern to their governments. |
| PGMA cites APEC's role for RP's economic development |
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SYDNEY----Stressing the need for a strong global
engagement for the country to grow the economy, ensure peace and security
and fight poverty, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cited today the
importance of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum to the
Philippines. “At a time of uncertainty in the world, APEC remains a central pillar of global engagement and dialogue. We Filipinos believe in strong global engagement for our country and our people….,” the President said in her speech at the 5th Global Filipino Networking Conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel here this afternoon. “We want the Philippines actively engaged in local, regional and global affairs because that is the future,” the President said, adding that the APEC plays a “large role” in the Philippines’ quest of a modern nation and a First World economy in the next two decades. “It is one of the most important bridges we can build and cross together,” the President told a crowd of Filipinos from Australia, North America, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait who gathered in Sydney for the first time to attend the conference. “Figuratively speaking, the more bridges we build, the more people can cross the new land and new ideas,” she said. The President said that at the 15th APEC Leaders Meeting which starts Saturday at the Sydney Opera House, common concerns such as greater economic integration, global challenges on climate change would be some of the issues to be discussed by the 21-member APEC economies. “APEC presents an opportunity to engage our allies in all of these things---in various economic, political and security issues at a time when the world needs closer cooperation,” she stressed. The President reiterated that her administration’s most important agenda is poverty alleviation and the APEC is an important venue for nations to work together and uplift the lives of the poor through global trading system. “We believe in the power of the global trading system in alleviating poverty and modernize nations through market forces,” she said even as she qualified that the Philippines is a “globalization taker rather than a globalization maker.” “It is there. Let us use it to fight poverty,” she said. |
