Catbalogan City: At least 30 applications for amnesty have been endorsed by the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Catbalogan City, Samar, for resolution by the national government. It was the result of the continuing case conferences of LAB Catbalogan members from different agencies since last year. Endorsed LAB resolutions will be forwarded to the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) executive committee before the final resolution by the en banc.

According to Philippines News Agency, the resolutions will then be submitted to the Office of the President. Only the President of the Republic of the Philippines has the authority to grant or deny amnesty, LAB Catbalogan stated in a recent announcement. Since the government started accepting amnesty applications in December 2024, at least 378 former members of the New People's Army from the three Samar provinces submitted their applications to LAB Catbalogan.

Members of LAB Catbalogan include Samar provincial police office director Col. Eric Antonieto Mendoza, Golda Meir Tabao representing LAB Chairperson Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Regional Prosecutor Irwin Maraya, Provincial Prosecutor Luz Lampasa representing the Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service, Army 801st Brigade Deputy Brigade commander Col. Carmelito Pangatungan, and lawyers from the Public Attorney's Office.

Through amnesty, the government is offering former rebels an opportunity to improve their lives, NAC stated. Crimes classified as acts of rebellion fall under amnesty coverage, while private offenses such as rape are excluded.

Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s Proclamation 404, also known as the Amnesty Program, former and current members of the communist insurgents have until March 14, 2026, to submit their applications. The program is not limited to NPA rebels but extends to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front.