Granting Amnesty to Political Expatriates

November 2, 1974

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 571-A

GRANTING AMNESTY TO POLITICAL EXPATRIATES FOR ILLEGAL ACTS COMMITTED IN FURTHERANCE OF THEIR OPPOSITION AND RESISTANCE TO MARTIAL LAW AND THE NEW SOCIETY

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; aisa dc

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 Magpapalaya 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; acd

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 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. acd

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. acd

DONE in the City of Manila, this 2nd day of November, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-Four.