WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 95, dated January 11, 1973,
Presidential Decree No. 124, dated February 2, 1973, Presidential
Decree No. 497, dated June 28, 1974, Presidential Decree No. 571,
November 1, 1974, were promulgated as a measure of restoring peace and
order in the country and of unifying the Filipino people;
WHEREAS, the periods within which to file applications for
amnesty in accordance with said Presidential Decrees Nos. 95 and 124, as
amended, and Presidential Decrees Nos. 497, 571 and 571-A have already
expired (PDs 95 and 124 on July 15, 1973; PD 497 on August 27, 1974; PD
571 on December 31, 1974; and PD 571-A on April 30, 1975);
WHEREAS, reports from the military authorities indicate that
a great number of persons have applied for amnesty under the said
decrees after the deadline set therein, and survey and assessments also
indicate that there are still others who would want to avail themselves
of the benefit of amnesty under the said decrees and return to the folds
of the law;
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
Philippine society;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, by virtue of the
powers vested in me as President of the Philippines, do hereby order and
decree that offenses expressly covered by Presidential Decree No. 9'5,
dated January 11, 1973, and Presidential Decree No. 124, dated February
2, 1973, both as amended by Presidential Decree No. 206, dated June 6,
1973, Presidential Decree No. 497, dated June 28, 1974, Presidential
Decree No. 571-A, dated November 2, 1974, which may have been committed
prior to or after the promulgation of this Decree, but not later than
the date of publication hereof in the Official Gazette, may be the
subject of application for amnesty until December 31, 1976.
The suspension of criminal proceedings against those who shall
apply for amnesty by virtue hereof shall be governed by the provisions
of Presidential Decree No. 872, dated January 9, 1976.
It is
hereby finally ordered and decreed that the Secretary of National
Defense or his duly authorized representative may, taking into
consideration the national security, order the temporary release of the
accused should he/she be under detention.
This Decree shall take
effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.
Done in the City of Manila, this 3rd day of February, in the
year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-six.
(Sgd.)
FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President
Republic of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.)
JACOBO C. CLAVE
Presidential Executive Assistant