WHEREAS, on January 11, 1973, Presidential Decree No. 95 was promulgated declaring amnesty to persons who committed certain acts penalized by existing laws in certain places in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan in furtherance of their political or religious beliefs;
WHEREAS, on February 2, 1973, Presidential Decree No. 124 was promulgated declaring amnesty in favor of members/affiliates of subversive organizations as defined in Section 4 of RA 1700, the deadline for application under which expired on March 15, 1973;
WHEREAS, on March 17, 1973 Presidential Decree No. 158 was promulgated extending deadline for the filing of application for amnesty under PD. 95 dated January 11,1973 and PD 124 dated February 2, 1973, until April 15 1973;
WHEREAS, on June 6, 1973 Presidential Decree No. 206 was promulgated ordering that all proceedings before military tribunals and or/civil courts in connection with all criminal cases pending before them against all persons who have applied for amnesty in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 95 and Presidential Decree No. 124, be held in abeyance pending final action by the President on their application for amnesty and further extending the deadline for filing of applications for amnesty up to July 15, 1973.
WHEREAS, on June 28, 1974 Presidential Decree No. 497 was promulgated granting general amnesty under certain conditions to public school teachers, other government officials and employees, members of the Arme Forces of the Philippines and other persons for violations of election laws and other related statutes in connection with the election of delegates to the Constitutional Convention, the deadline for application under which feel on August 28, 1974;
WHEREAS, on November 1, 1974 Presidential Decree No. 571 was promulgated granting amnesty to officers and ranking leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines (PKP, HMB, MASAKA, MPKP, SPKP), the deadline for application under which fell on December 21, 1974;
WHEREAS, on November 2, 1974 Presidential Decree No. 571-A was promulgated granting amnesty to political expatriates for illegal acts committed in furtherance of their position and resistance to martial law and New Society, the period for application under which expired on April 30, 1975.
WHEREAS, on February 3, 1976 Presidential Decree No. 886 was promulgated extending the deadlines for the filing of applications for amnesty under Presidential Decrees Nos. 95 and 124, both as amended by Prerwsidential Decrees Nos. 497, 571, 571-A, to December 31, 1976;
WHEREAS, on February 2, 1977, Presidential Decree No. 1082 was promulgated proclaiming amnesty in certain aeas of Southern Philippines for Leaders, members, supporters and symphatizers of the Moro National Liberation Front and the Bangsa Moro Army and other anti-government groups with similar motivations and aims;
WHEREAS, the periods within which to file applications for amnesty provided for in the aforementioned Presidential Decrees have already expired, but surveys and assessments indicate that there are still others who would want to avail themselves of the benefits of amnesty under the said decrees and return to the folds of the law.
WHEREAS, to better realize the objectives of Proclamation No. 1081, general orders, decrees and instructions issued pursuant thereto, and to hasten the restoration of the tranquility and stability of the nation, and to secure the people from violence, injuries and loss of lives in the quickest possible manner and time, it is necessary that certain members, followers, symphatizers and mere participants of said activist groups, subversive associations and front organizations, specially the youth, be allowed to lead normal lives under the control and supervision of their parents, guardians, or benevolent citizens of their respective communities:
WHEREAS, it has always been the avowed policy of the Government to unify our people, and to deal with misguided dissenters and transgressors of the law with compassion so they may regain their faith in government and become our co-workers in the attainment of the objectives to reform the social, economic and political structure of the Philippine society;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me as President of the Philippines, do hereby order and decree the following: