Former rebels in Agusan Norte gain security pass under Amnesty program
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Sixty-two former rebels, or friends rescued (FRs) in Agusan del Norte received their Safe Conduct Passes (SCPs) from the National Amnesty Board through the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) Butuan during a ceremony at the Kalayaan Hall of the 402nd Brigade, Philippine Army, this city.
The issuance of SCPs, held on March 26, underscored the government’s sustained efforts to facilitate the smooth reintegration of former rebels into mainstream society by restoring their civil mobility, improving access to opportunities, and ensuring legal protection, aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to promote lasting peace through inclusive and humane approaches under the national amnesty program.
The Amnesty program was strengthened following the President’s signing of proclamations granting freedom to former members of rebel groups, aimed at encouraging them to return to the fold of the law, rebuild their lives, and contribute to national development.
Local Amnesty Board (LAB) Butuan chairperson and regional prosecutor, Attorney John Magdaraog, emphasized that the SCP serves as a safeguard against arrest and detention for past offenses covered under the amnesty process, allowing beneficiaries to move forward without fear.
“Your SCPs guarantee that you are now safe from possible arrest and imprisonment, but you have to do the right thing and never violate the law. You can now go to places freely, return home to your families, and start a new life with them,” he said.
With the SCP, beneficiaries can travel freely, seek employment, and access government services through key enablers for economic reintegration and social normalization.
For alias ‘Lynlyn,’ the SCP has brought a renewed sense of security and stability. “I can now move freely and have peace of mind. This is a big help to me. I no longer live in fear of being arrested and imprisoned for the mistakes I made in the past.”
Now employed in the government office of Agusan del Norte, Lynlyn added that the document has opened opportunities for her to live productively. Her husband, who earlier received his SCP, is currently serving as a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) under the 29th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, demonstrating how the program enables former rebels and their families to actively contribute to community security and development.
Meanwhile, LAB Butuan Secretariat, Attorney Rey Malvin Pallomina, reported that as of March 26, a total of 155 individuals in the province have been issued SCPs, along with one approved amnesty grantee, indicating steady progress in the implementation of the government’s amnesty program.
He added that 556 individuals have applied for SCPs in the province, with 169 applications currently being processed and 232 filed this year. Across the Caraga region, 347 individuals have already been granted SCPs.
Agusan del Norte Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante, represented by Doctor Silver Joy Tejano, underscored that beyond legal protection, the SCP is a pathway toward transformation and a concrete realization of the national government’s peace agenda.
“The SCP is not just a document that allows you to move freely, it is an opportunity to change your future and a gateway toward your transformation and reintegration into society,” Gov. Amante said. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
