The issuance of Executive Order No. 47 (EO 47) which grants amnesty to former rebels is a step forward toward the attainment of sustainable peace and stability in the country, a legislator here said Monday.

“The granting of amnesty shows the sincerity of the government in wanting peace and in helping former rebels rebuild their lives in an atmosphere of healing and reconciliation and proceed to address other problems of the country that hinder growth,” Agusan del Norte 2nd District Rep. Dale Corvera said in a statement.

Before his being elected to Congress, Corvera served as the governor of Agusan del Norte and helped the government facilitate the surrender of NPA rebels under Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70) of the former administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

The EO 70 mandates a whole-of-nation approach to end the local communist armed conflict.

“There are more NPA rebels who want to return to the fold of the law and be with their families and communities,” Corvera said.

However, he noted that most of the rebels are afraid of prosecution with the pending cases filed against them in court.

“The amnesty, under EO 47, will encourage more rebels to come down and start new lives with their families and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program,” he said. (PNA)

Photo credit: House of Representatives Official Website