THE National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) on Thursday pushed for the extension of the government’s amnesty program for insurgents until 2028 to accommodate thousands of potential applicants. Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., executive director of the NTF-Elcac, said the program has emerged as a resounding success, with more than 16,000 former rebels stepping forward to reclaim peaceful lives. He said the overwhelming response to the program underscored a decisive shift on the ground, where former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) were choosing peace over armed struggle. Torres said that the government has received 16,003 applications, far exceeding the initial projection of 10,000. Of these, he said, that 13,633 were actual combatants and supporters of the armed struggle under the CPP-NPA-NDF. “The numbers speak for themselves. This is not failure—this is a quiet but decisive victory for peace,” Torres said, as he dismissed claims by the CPP that the amnesty initiative is an “epic fail.” Torres said that the amnesty program was voluntary and grounded in law, with no coercion involved. “No one is forced to apply. They come forward on their own, acknowledge their past, and submit to a legitimate legal process. If this were truly a failure, there would be no applicants. Yet thousands have stepped forward nationwide,” he said. National Amnesty Commission (NAC) Chairman Leah Tanodra-Armamento said that the surge in applications reflected growing trust in the process, as former rebels realize they could pursue their advocacies without violence and without endangering their families. “We received a total of 16,003 applications—far exceeding expectations. This shows that more and more are choosing peace and lawful engagement over armed struggle,” Armamento said during a virtual press conference organized by the Task Force. Amid the surge in applications, Armamento disclosed that an extension of the amnesty period—originally set to lapse under Executive Order 47—was now in motion, with a recommendation from the Executive Committee, NTF-Elcac awaiting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s approval and signature. “We are inviting everyone—even though the application period was supposed to have ended, we now have a recommendation for extension which is awaiting the President’s signature,” she said. Armamento said the extension would cover another two years, up to 2028, through another proclamation aligned with the end of Marcos’ term, ensuring continuity without the need for a yearly congressional concurrence. “In the meantime, we continue to accept applications and mark them as provisionally accepted,” she added. The NAC chief also highlighted the government’s “Aftercare for Grantees of Amnesty” program, which provides a comprehensive pathway for reintegration, including the dismissal of pending cases and the clearing of records from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police. “This is not just amnesty—it is a real second chance,” she said. “We are removing the fear, restoring dignity, and allowing them to live normal lives in their communities.” Armamento said that the program uncovered cases where applicants had multiple pending charges they were unaware of—one even having as many as 80—which were now being addressed through government support mechanisms. Meanwhile, Torres said the CPP’s attempts to discredit the program revealed its growing desperation as it struggled to contain the steady exodus of its members. “This is what the CPP fears—the truth that their own members are leaving, choosing dignity, stability, and a brighter future with their families,” Torres said. “Unable to stop the departures, they resort to delegitimizing those who choose peace and dismissing their testimonies. But these are sworn statements, validated through due process, and they expose the reality of life inside the armed movement,” he added. The NTF-Elcac official emphasized that the success of the Amnesty Program goes hand in hand with the government’s broader peace and development initiatives, particularly the Barangay Development Program, which delivers infrastructure and basic services to conflict-affected communities. “While the CPP offers only conflict, the government offers construction—not just of roads and schools, but of lives and communities,” Torres said. “For the CPP, amnesty may be just a piece of paper. But for thousands of Filipinos, it is a passport back to society, stability, and hope,” he added