Palace remains open to amnesty for Reds
Malacañang remains open to the possibility of granting amnesty to Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) members if conditions warrant such.
"If there's a need for amnesty, we'll recommend this to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo although I doubt whether this will be retroactive," said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita on Thursday.
He said such move is still possible since the Chief Executive continues promoting her reconciliation and unification bid.
"President Arroyo's policy is to reach out so government hasn't closed its doors on peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF)," he continued.
NDF is the umbrella organization of the CPP and its military wing, the New People's Army (NPA).
Authorities are looking forward to end the 37-year old conflict, considered as Asia's longest-running communist insurgency, as Switzerland-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue reported an estimated 40,000 people already perished in such conflict.
Malacanang hopes more Reds will decide to lay down their arms and join the mainstream society so they can avail of the government's socio-economic assistance aimed at enabling them to lead quiet and productive lives.
Ermita said ex-presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos granted amnesties during their incumbency to help end armed struggle nationwide.
He recalled ex-senator Gregorio Honasan applied for such and was granted amnesty. However, among those who didn't avail of such offer is Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, now facing multiple murder raps for allegedly ordering in the 1980s mass execution of suspected government assets.
Ermita said then President Aquino issued Executive Order 350 for the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), NPA and other factions who rebelled against her predecessor ex-president Ferdinand Marcos, provided they pledge not to overthrow her government.
He also said former President Ramos' issuances on amnesty were Proclamations 10, 347, 724 and 348.
Proclamation 348 was issued in 1995 to grant amnesty to members of Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) and its allied groups which attempted in the late 1980s a coup against ex-president Aquino, he noted.
"Ex senator Honasan was given amnesty because he availed of Proclamation 348 but Rep. Ocampo didn't so he is excluded from coverage of such pardon and can be arrested for criminal charges filed against him," Ermita added.
(PNA)