The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) is finalizing guidelines for the issuance of safe conduct passes (SCPs) to eligible amnesty applicants, as part of the Marcos administration’s peace and reconciliation efforts.
The NAC said it is in the final stages of completing the SCP guidelines following a consultative meeting with its Executive Committee on April 28. The guidelines are being crafted within the 30 days mandated by Memorandum Order No. 36, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on April 8.
“We are working swiftly and carefully… so that applicants can approach the Commission without fear, ensuring that the process remains credible, lawful, and accessible,” NAC Chairperson Leah Tanodra-Armamento said.
The SCP is intended to protect eligible applicants from arrest or prosecution for crimes covered by Presidential Proclamation Nos. 403–406, all issued in 2023, while their amnesty applications are being processed.
The passes also allow prosecutors to act favorably on motions for suspension of proceedings involving SCP holders. However, the document does not equate to an amnesty grant.
The NAC emphasized that the SCP has limitations.
It does not authorize release from detention if there is a valid warrant of arrest, nor does it allow the possession of illegal firearms or automatically confer amnesty. Applicants may also apply for a Provisional SCP, valid for 15 days.
The upcoming guidelines will cover eligibility requirements, application procedures, and documentation. The final version is expected in the coming days and will be released through NAC’s official channels and regional partners.
According to NAC, as of May 2, a total of 2,720 amnesty applications have been received nationwide.
The bulk came from the CPP-NPA-NDF group, with 1,808 applications, followed by MILF with 553, MNLF with 294, and RPMP-RPA-ABB with 65. Meanwhile, the highest number of applications came from Catbalogan (378), Bacolod (261), and Cotabato (240), based on data provided by Local Amnesty Boards.
