WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972,
declaring a state of martial law throughout the land was issued because
of widespread lawlessness and anarchy, chaos and disorder, wanton
destruction of lives and property prevailing throughout the country,
perpetrated, among others, by diehard leaders and members of activist
groups, subversive elements and Communist-front organizations;
WHEREAS, since the proclamation of martial law and in a
series of efforts to unify the country, I have issued several decrees
among them (1) Presidential Decree No. 95 extending amnesty in favor of
persons who, prior to the effectivity of the said decree, have committed
any act penalized by existing laws in some provinces in Mindanao, Sulu
and Palawan in the furtherance of their political and religious beliefs;
(2) Presidential Decree No. 124 decreeing amnesty in favor of all
persons who may have violated the provisions of Section 4 of Republic
Act No. 1700, and affiliates/members who may have committed any other
offenses penalized under any law in furtherance of their political
beliefs; (3) Presidential Decree No. 497 extending amnesty in favor of
Muslims who have committed acts penalized under existing laws in the
furtherance of their resistance to the duly constituted authorities of
the Republic of the Philippines; and finally, (4) Presidential Decree
No. 571 in favor of leaders, officers and members of the Partido
Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP), Hukbong Nagpapalaya ng Bayan (HMB),
Malayang Samahan ng Magsasaka (MASAKA), Malayang Pagkakaisa ng Kabataang
Pilipino (MPKP) and Samahang Pambansa ng Kababaihan Sa Pilipinas
(SPKP), including those who may have committed any act penalized by
existing laws, which has been committed to promote their political
beliefs or to enhance acceptance of their ideas, views, and opinions
about the social order, economic system or form of government in the
Philippines;
WHEREAS, these decrees have been availed of by a good number
of their intended beneficiaries in various parts of the country and
have thusly paved the way for their active collaboration and cooperation
in our efforts to promote the ideals and principles of the New Society;
WHEREAS, to better realize the objectives of Proclamation
No. 1081 and the general orders, decrees and instructions issued
pursuant thereto, to give added impetus to effectively unite all
elements and sectors of our society, and establish a nation in policy
worthy of the highest ideals of the Filipino people, it is necessary
that political expatriates and persons who upon the proclamation of
Martial Law on September 21, 1972 were abroad and who for political
reasons and fear of prosecution therefor have chosen or elected to
stay/remain abroad, should be encouraged to return to their homeland and
thereby become our co-workers In the New Society;
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the New Society that the
talents and abilities of the intended beneficiaries hereof be harnessed
in our common effort to establish peace and order and institute
political, social, agrarian and other reforms essential to our national
survival and progress;
WHEREAS, some of aforesaid political dissenters/expatriates
who are now temporarily residing abroad, have indicated their desire to
return to their homeland, but entertain fear or apprehension that they
will be prosecuted for offenses and/or utterances or actuations critical
of and/or utterances or actuations critical of and/or derogatory to the
proclamation of martial law and the establishment of the New Society;
WHEREAS, it is imperative that their doubts be dispelled
and the benevolent policy of the government be spelled out clearly to
pave the way for their return to their homeland.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the
Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, do hereby declare and
decree an amnesty in favor of all political expatriates/dissenters who
have made utterances or otherwise comported themselves in a manner
derogatory to the duly constituted authorities of the Republic of the
Philippines or the proclamation of Martial Law and/or the establishment
of the New Society; Provided, That they pledge loyalty and
allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines; Provided, also,
That this amnesty shall not extend to offenses of Murder and against
chastity; and Provided, finally, That they shall avail of this
amnesty not later than 30th of April 1975.
The Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of Foreign
Affairs shall issue orders and promulgate such joint rules and
regulations to carry out effectively the purposes of said Decree.
Done in the City of Manila, this 2nd day of November, in the
year our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.
(Sgd.)
FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.)
ALEJANDRO MELCHOR
Executive Secretary