Manila, March 19 -- Former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) seeking lasting peace are encouraged to apply for the government's amnesty program.

At the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum on Wednesday, the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Western Visayas (RTF ELCAC VI) revealed that 216 individuals from the region have applied for amnesty.

This includes 207 former CPP-NPA-NDF members and nine from the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB). Of the total applications, 199 are already awaiting resolution.

"Applicants must have no hidden agenda when applying for amnesty. We are striving for permanent and lasting peac...