Region 8 Leads Amnesty Applications as Peace Drive Gains Ground

Posted on Feb. 28, 2026 at 8:21 pm

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas (Region 8) has become the leading region in the country for amnesty applications, demonstrating a strong regional response to the government’s renewed efforts for peace and reconciliation, Army Captain Christopher B. Tataro, Chief Public Affairs of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID), said on February 18.

Tataro confirmed that the region currently has the highest number of applicants under Proclamation No. 403, which offers amnesty to eligible former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

However, Tataro has emphasized that time is limited, with the deadline for submitting applications set for March 13, 2026.

He further clarified that the deadline pertains only to new applications, and processing will continue for those who have already applied, ensuring that their cases progress through the evaluation stages even after the deadline.

The amnesty program provides a structured pathway for reintegration. Applications undergo review by the Local Amnesty Board (LAB), are then forwarded to the National Amnesty Commission (NAC), and ultimately reach the President for approval. Once granted, recipients receive official certification pardoning offenses related to insurgent activities.

To be eligible, the acts must have been committed before November 22, 2023. To facilitate the process, secretariat offices have been established in Catbalogan City for Samar applicants and in Tacloban City for those from Leyte and Biliran. Military personnel are assisting former rebels in preparing necessary documentation and understanding the eligibility criteria.

Tataro has stressed that amnesty does not cover all offenses. Excluded crimes include rape and crimes against chastity, torture, kidnapping for ransom, illegal drug-related offenses, and grave human rights violations.

Applicants involved in such crimes are not eligible for amnesty under the proclamation.

The increase in applications aligns with the 8ID’s broader 2026 campaign to dismantle remaining insurgent sub-regional structures in Eastern Visayas. In addition to focused security operations, the division continues to promote reintegration through programs like the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), offering financial assistance, livelihood support, and other benefits to qualified returnees.

Tataro believes that the combination of law enforcement efforts and reintegration support is gradually weakening the operational capacity of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.

“We urge the remaining members to choose the path of peace,” Tataro said. “The government is prepared to assist you in rebuilding your lives and reuniting with your families.”

As the March 13 deadline nears, the 8ID is intensifying its information campaign, utilizing community dialogues, social media platforms, and even local “Piso WiFi” networks to reach individuals in remote and underserved communities.

Tataro is hopeful that the strong participation in Region 8 will continue in the final weeks, highlighting the increasing confidence in government peace initiatives and the shared aspiration for lasting stability in Eastern Visayas.