DND: Amnesty won't cover political views

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday the amnesty offer for rebel soldiers will not cover the political views of applicants amid claims that their admission of guilt – as required under the amnesty program – would clear former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of alleged misdeeds during her administration.

DND Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino said applicants would only be asked to admit that they broke some laws when they joined uprisings against the previous administration. “There is no mention of his political leanings or political stance he maintained when he committed the acts,” he said.

Batino, who handles the department’s legal affairs, said the wording used in the application form was “very fair and objective.”

Proclamation 75, signed by President Aquino last month, granted amnesty to more than 300 military personnel accused of trying to oust the Arroyo administration. A total of 189 former rebel soldiers have availed of the amnesty as of last Friday.