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4March
Photo by BONG S. SARMIENTO
Over 1,000 MILF members seek amnesty as deadline nears
- Mar 4, 2026
- Taher G. Solaiman
- HITS: 316
Normalization under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), aiming to support peacebuilding efforts.
An amnesty caravan was held from February 25 to 26 at MILF's main headquarters in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, and in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, del Sur, during which 95 members submitted applications. Of these, 53 were filed at Camp Darapanan and 42 in Mamasapano.
These figures were released on Monday by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), which collaborated with the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) for the caravan.
The NAC will review all applications before recommending them to the Office of the President, who holds the sole authority to grant amnesty.
The amnesty initiative is part of the Annex on
Despite the program’s aims, OPAPRU noted that fear of arrest continues to deter some MILF members from applying, limiting turnout. The amnesty drive, along with the distribution of Safe Conduct Passes, seeks to build trust between those who seek amnesty and government institutions, mitigating security concerns.
Anwar Alamada, chairman of the MILF Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and the MILF’s certifying officer for amnesty, acknowledged the apprehensions among members. He stated that efforts are ongoing to assist members currently detained in Metro Manila and other parts of Mindanao.
Atty. Jamar Kulayan, NAC commissioner overseeing Mindanao, encouraged MILF members to take advantage of the program, explaining that amnesty restores political and civil rights to grantees. To date, only one MILF member, Jannati Mimbantas—also known as Basit Abas, a commander of the MILF Northeastern Mindanao Front and current Bangsamoro Transition Authority member—has been granted amnesty.
Kulayan emphasized that while the program aims to promote peace and reconciliation, each application undergoes thorough scrutiny.
Applicants facing criminal charges for offenses not covered by the amnesty will be disqualified. Eligible crimes include rebellion, sedition, and illegal possession of firearms or explosives committed in connection with rebellion or insurrection.
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