Extending the Deadlines for the Filing of Applications for Amnesty

February 3, 1976

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 886

EXTENDING THE DEADLINES FOR THE FILING OF APPLICATIONS FOR AMNESTY UNDER PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NOS. 95 AND 124, BOTH AS AMENDED BY PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NOS. 158 AND 206, AND PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NOS. 497, 571 AND 571-A

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, dated 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 Decree Nos. 95 and 124, as amended, and Presidential Decree 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. 95, 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. aisa dc

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.