'Gov't not giving blanket amnesty to former rebels'

The Marcos administration is not giving blanket amnesty to former rebels, presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. told a congressional hearing last Tuesday.

- JOSE RODEL CLAPANO

In an opening message for the hearing on the amnesty proclamation issued by President Marcos, Galvez said the former rebels who would avail themselves of the amnesty being offered by the administration would still have to face civil liabilities for the crimes they committed against civilians.

"We also wish to stress that these amnesty proclamations do not give blanket amnesty to these former rebels. By blanket amnesty, we mean that they will be granted amnesty regardless of the nature of their crimes, as earlier explained. This will not be the case, as the amnesty proclamations clearly define what specific crimes are covered," Galvez explained.

He stressed that former rebels who are availing themselves of the amnesty being offered by the Marcos administration must also show remorse.