Caraga highest in number of Safe Conduct Pass issuance, says OPAPRU
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) has announced that the Caraga region has recorded the highest number of issued Safe Conduct Passes for individuals awaiting their amnesty application approval by the President.
This initiative continues to symbolize the government’s sincerity in helping peace advocates, also known as former rebels (FRs), to rebuild their lives, while fostering peace and development in their communities.
The Safe Conduct Pass is a document issued by the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) that protects an applicant from arrest, detention and prosecution of the crimes subject of their application.
According to the Local Amnesty Board Butuan, as of August 31, 2025, the region has a cumulative total of 327 amnesty applicants, with 183 from Agusan del Norte, 79 from adjacent province of Agusan del Sur, 58 from Surigao del Norte and two walk-ins.
The issuance has brought peace of mind and freedom of movement to hundreds of returnees in the Caraga region. This also enables them to reintegrate into society without fear of arrest and with renewed dignity.
This was highlighted during the Community Assembly for Peace and Development (CAPD) on September 8 in Butuan City spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) together with the United Caraganon for Peace & Development Federation, Inc. (UCPDFI), a federation of more than 3,000 peace advocates from Caraga’s four provinces namely, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur – battlegrounds and sanctuary of insurgency in the country.
In Agusan del Norte, Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante underscored the impact of Safe Conduct Passes, noting that they have allowed the peace advocates to live normal lives.
“These passes allow the peace advocates to move freely without fear of arrest, helping them reintegrate into society with dignity and security,” Gov. Amante said. “Their lives have significantly changed, thanks to the support of various government agencies. With this assistance, there is no reason why they cannot achieve a better and more peaceful life.”
She urged them to persevere in their path toward transformation. “All we ask is your perseverance so that you can thrive and succeed.”
For peace advocate Narlyn of Surigao del Sur, who surrendered in Agusan del Norte, the pass has been life-changing.
“Pasalamat ko ug dako nga isa ko sa nahaaan
ug Safe Conduct Pass kay aduna na koy kagawasan nga makauli sa among lugar nga
walay kahadlok nga dakpon sa authoridad tungod sa akong mga sala nga nahimo sa
panahon nga myembro pako sa NPA (I am deeply grateful that I was granted a Safe
Conduct Pass because I now have the freedom to return to our hometown without
the fear of being arrested by authorities for the offenses I committed when I
was still a member of the NPA),” she said.
She added that she now earns a stable income as a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) and availed of various TESDA skills training.
Another peace advocate, Patrick from Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, shared that his surrender in 2021 gave him a new lease on life. He received P425,000 in remuneration for surrendered firearms and is now serving as a CAFGU, providing for his young family.
Meanwhile, the CAPD also served as a venue for peace advocates to present P29.7 million worth of project proposals to local chief executives and government agencies, showing their commitment to becoming peacebuilders and active development partners.
OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., who attended the activity, reaffirmed the government’s whole-of-nation approach in sustaining peace, emphasizing that sustainable reintegration programs remain at the heart of localized peace efforts.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in a directive issued in May 2025 granted the NAC the authority to issue Safe Conduct Passes to amnesty applicants. This significant legal document opens a new chapter in the lives of the peace advocates, allowing them to return to their communities and transform them to be productive citizens, contributors to countryside development and champions of peaceful reintegration. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
