WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 1081, date
September 21, 1972, declaring a state of martial law throughout the
land was issued because of widespread lawlessness and anarchy, chaos
and disorder, and wanton destruction of lives and property prevailing
throughout the country perpetuated, among others, by subversive
organizations and lawless elements in the provinces of Cotabato, South
Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte,
Zamboanga del Sur, Sulu and Palawan, and the cities of Cotabato,
General Santos, Iligan, Marawi; Zamboanga, Pagadian, Basilan, Dipolog
and Dapitan;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, surveys and assessments made by the military authorities as
well as reports from law-abiding and peace-loving members of our
society in the above-mentioned provinces indicate that a number of
members, followers and sympathizers of said organizations and lawless
elements have committed certain offenses, either by misguided idealism
or as a consequence of threats, intimidation, coercion and physical
harassments; chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, it is not unlikely that in many instances, members or
followers or sympathizers of said organizations or lawless elements in
the above-mentioned provinces have unwittingly allowed themselves to be
identified with such elements;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Government to deal with and treat the
foregoing persons with compassion, restraint and circumspection and to
be lenient towards them;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, the return of the persons covered by the terms of this amnesty
to the fold of the law and the resumption by them of their lawful
pursuits or occupations as loyal and law-abiding citizens will
accelerate the restoration of peace and order and promote the welfare
and happiness of the people; and
WHEREAS, to achieve such a desirable result, without bloodshed and
further waste of time and efforts, it is deemed necessary, just and
wise for the Government to forgive and forego the prosecution of the
said persons for the crimes mentioned herein;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, in my capacity as
Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines and
pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, do hereby
decree an amnesty in favor of all persons who, prior to the effectivity
of this Decree, have committed any act penalized by existing laws in
the provinces of Cotabato, South Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del
Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Sulu and Palawan and the
cities of Cotabato, General Santos, Iligan, Marawi, Zamboanga,
Pagadian, Basilan, Dipolog and Dapitan in furtherance of their
political or religious beliefs, including, but not limited
to: chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
a. Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition
punishable under Section 878 of the Revised Administrative Code, as
amended, or Presidential Decree No. 9 dated October 2, 1972;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
b. Illegal possession of bladed weapon punishable
under Presidential Decree No. 9, dated October 2, 1972;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
c. Interruption of religious worship (Article 132,
Revised Penal Code);chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
d. Offending the religious feelings (Article 133);chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
e. Illegal assemblies (Article 146);chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
f. Illegal associations (Article 147);chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
g. Direct Assault (Article 148);chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
h. Indirect assault (Article 149);chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
i. Resistance and disobedience to a person in
authority or agents of such person (Article 151);chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
j. Tumults and other disturbances (Article 153);chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
k. Alarms and scandal (Article 155). chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
except those who have committed murder and crimes against chastity and
those leaders of rebellion, subversion and sedition, subject to the
condition that they shall surrender to the Armed Forces authorities,
together with their firearms, weapons, ammunition and other armaments,
not later than February 28, 1973.
It is further decreed that in order to determine the persons who may be
granted amnesty, the Amnesty Commissions to be created by me shall
examine the facts and circumstances surrounding each case, conduct
summary hearings of witnesses, if necessary, and recommend to me
whether or not the persons concerned shall be granted amnesty:
Provided, That any person excepted above may be granted amnesty if
recommended and the merits of his case so warrant.
It is decreed furthermore that persons who may be entitled to amnesty
pursuant hereto and whose cases are referred to the military
authorities for trial or with a view to trial by the military tribunals
on or before February 28, 1973, shall be acted upon by a Special
Amnesty Commission composed of The Judge Advocate General of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines, as Chairman, and the Constabulary Judge
Advocate General and a representative of the Secretary of the
Department of Justice, as members, which shall also recommend to me
whether or not said persons shall be granted amnesty.
It is decreed finally that cases now pending before fiscals, civil
courts, and military tribunals against the said persons for the crimes
herein mentioned shall be dismissed motu propio by the respective
fiscals, civil courts and military authorities/tribunals or upon
petition by the prosecution or the accused, after the grant of amnesty
by me as herein decreed.
The Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of Justice shall
issue orders and promulgate such joint rules and regulations to carry
out effectively the purposes of this Decree.
Done in the City of Manila,
this 11th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
seventy-three.
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