Beyond the Deadline: Why Amnesty Is Only the Beginning of the Real Struggle

By Andrea XP de Jesus

As the March 13, 2026 deadline for the government’s amnesty program approaches, more former combatants across the country are stepping forward to formally leave behind decades of armed struggle. For many of them, the decision to apply for amnesty represents more than a legal process. It forms part of a complicated transition from life in the underground movement to life once again within the communities they left behind.

In Cagayan de Oro City, sixteen former combatants recently took part in a ceremony organized by the National Amnesty Commission (NAC), where they were formally granted Certificates of Amnesty. Fifteen of the recipients were former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front of the Philippines, while another was a former commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front who now serves in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

Before receiving their certificates, the grantees underwent an orientation that explained the legal implications of amnesty, including the restoration of civil and political rights and the protections available to those who reintegrate into society. The process is meant to ensure that returnees understand not only the legal relief offered by the program but also the opportunities that come with it as they rebuild their lives.

Across the country, thousands have already taken similar steps. As of the end of February 2026, the National Amnesty Commission reported receiving 10,988 amnesty applications nationwide, reflecting a growing number of former fighters willing to pursue reintegration through legal and peaceful means.

For organizations composed of former rebels themselves, these developments are significant milestones in the long effort toward national reconciliation. Buklod Kapayapaan Federation Inc., a nationwide organization of former rebels, welcomed the recent granting of amnesty to their former comrades, describing it as a meaningful step toward restoring lives disrupted by years of conflict.

Many of the group’s members once fought for the New People’s Army have since returned to civilian life. Their decision to avail of amnesty, according to the federation, reflects a difficult yet transformative choice to leave armed struggle and pursue peaceful participation in society.

Yet for many former combatants, the moment they receive their certificate is not the end of their journey. It is often only the start of another kind of struggle.

Returning to civilian life requires more than legal recognition. Former rebels must navigate a series of challenges that range from securing employment and rebuilding family relationships to overcoming suspicion within communities that may still remember the conflict years. Buklod Kapayapaan notes that many returnees continue to face legal, social, and economic difficulties even after surrendering and cooperating with government programs.

Access to livelihood opportunities, legal assistance, and community support remains a central concern for many of them. Some former rebels also report difficulties in clearing remaining legal cases or navigating bureaucratic procedures required to access government assistance.

Programs such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) aim to address these needs by providing financial assistance and other support services. Still, those involved in reintegration efforts often emphasize that the process requires sustained engagement beyond initial assistance. Community acceptance, stable employment, and psychosocial support all play an important role in ensuring that former combatants can successfully rebuild their lives.

For many former fighters, returning to civilian society means adjusting to a very different kind of life. The battlefields they once knew are replaced by everyday concerns such as finding work, attending community meetings, or explaining their past to neighbors who may not fully understand the path they have taken.

Despite these challenges, organizations like Buklod Kapayapaan maintain that former rebels who have chosen reintegration remain committed to peace. Many now participate in community activities and peacebuilding initiatives, using their experiences to encourage others to consider laying down their arms and pursuing lawful avenues for change.

As the amnesty deadline draws closer, the National Amnesty Commission continues to encourage eligible individuals to coordinate with Local Amnesty Boards across the country. For those who decide to step forward, the program offers a formal opportunity to restore their legal standing and rejoin society.

For the former rebels who have already taken that step, however, the certificate they receive is not the final chapter. It is simply the document that opens the door to the much longer task of rebuilding trust, restoring dignity, and finding a place once again in the communities they once left behind.

OLD VERSION

As the March 13, 2026 amnesty deadline approaches, many of our brothers and sisters who remain in the mountains are confronted with a painful decision: hold on to ideology or choose survival. For those of us who have already taken the path back to civilian life, however, we understand that laying down the rifle does not end the struggle. In truth, it begins a different and often quieter battle, one fought not in forests or hillsides, but in government offices, barangay halls, job interviews, and in the uncertain eyes of neighbors who are still learning to trust us again.

Amnesty carries deep meaning. It is not merely a legal document or a shield from prosecution; it represents the restoration of civil and political rights, the formal recognition that we belong again within the democratic fold. Across regions such as Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao, hundreds are stepping forward with the hope of reclaiming their place in society. Yet for many former combatants, the journey does not end with a certificate. Years of displacement, trauma, and suspicion do not disappear overnight. In some communities, the lingering fear of “spy-tagging” and retaliation still shadows the lives of returnees, particularly in areas like Negros where tensions remain high. Amnesty opens the door, but walking through it safely is another challenge entirely.

Programs such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) provide an important starting point by offering financial assistance and immediate support. But reintegration cannot be reduced to a one-time grant or administrative process. The deeper work requires sustained emotional support, livelihood opportunities, mentorship, and most importantly, genuine acceptance by the communities we are returning to. Former rebels should not be treated merely as beneficiaries of government aid. We must also be seen as partners in peacebuilding, individuals who carry valuable lessons about conflict, reconciliation, and the urgent need for social justice.

Ultimately, the transition from armed struggle to civic participation reflects a continuing commitment to the dream of a better Philippines. Our voices, once raised in defiance, can now be used to strengthen democratic spaces and advocate for inclusive development. The deadline for amnesty may soon pass, but the greater mission lies ahead: rebuilding trust, healing divided communities, and ensuring that the next generation will never again feel that the only path to dignity or survival lies in taking up arms. Amnesty may close a chapter of conflict, but the real work of peace, patient, difficult, and hopeful, has only just begun.