Amnesty In Favor Of All Persons Who Have Committed Any Act Penalized By Laws In Some Provinces Of Mindanao

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 95

Amnesty for Certain Offenses in Mindanao
- Grants amnesty to all persons who, prior to the effectivity of this Decree, have committed certain acts penalized by existing laws in specified provinces and cities of Mindanao in furtherance of their political or religious beliefs.
- The covered offenses include:
    a) Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition punishable under Section 878 of the Revised Administrative Code, as amended, or Presidential Decree No. 9 dated October 2, 1972.
    b) Illegal possession of bladed weapon punishable under Presidential Decree No. 9, dated October 2, 1972.
    c) Interruption of religious worship (Article 132, Revised Penal Code).
    d) Offending the religious feelings (Article 133).
    e) Illegal assemblies (Article 146).
    f) Illegal associations (Article 147).
    g) Direct Assault (Article 148).
    h) Indirect assault (Article 149).
    i) Resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or agents of such person (Article 151).
    j) Tumults and other disturbances (Article 153).
    k) Alarms and scandal (Article 155).
- Excludes those who have committed murder and crimes against chastity, and leaders of rebellion, subversion and sedition.
- To be granted amnesty, individuals must surrender to the Armed Forces authorities, together with their firearms, weapons, ammunition and other armaments, not later than February 28, 1973.
- Amnesty Commissions will be created to examine the facts and circumstances surrounding each case, conduct summary hearings of witnesses, if necessary, and recommend whether or not the persons concerned shall be granted amnesty.
- A Special Amnesty Commission will handle cases referred to the military authorities for trial or with a view to trial by the military tribunals on or before February 28, 1973.
- Cases pending before fiscals, civil courts, and military tribunals against the said persons for the covered crimes shall be dismissed after the grant of amnesty.