Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 25) — Granting amnesty alone is not enough to curb insurgency in the country, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno said Friday, as he urged the government to offer peace talks on a national level.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier issued four proclamations granting amnesty to current and former members of rebel groups who may have committed crimes \”in pursuit of their political beliefs.\”
READ: Marcos grants amnesty to members of rebel groups
\”Amnesty by itself is really not going to solve the problem,\” Diokno told CNN Philippines’ The Final Word.
He stressed the government must address deeper social ills that prompted groups to rebel against the state.
\”There must be a comprehensive peace plan that is pursued by the government,\” Diokno said.
\”We have to recognize everyone’s freedom of belief and opinions, especially on political matters, without any kind of reprisal or retribution,\” he added.
Diokno also noted that the process of granting amnesty to rebels will take some time as it requires the approval of Congress and a creation of a commission.
\”It is not going to be a fast process… If I can guess and project right, probably by next year,\” he said.
In addition to amnesty, the human rights lawyer also urged the Marcos administration to review cases of political prisoners in the country.
\”I understand that there are some members of rebel groups who have been charged with cases that are not backed up with sufficient evidence,\” he said.
