[ PROCLAMATION NO. 76, June 21, 1948 ]
GRANTING AMNESTY TO THE LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF THE HUKBALAHAP AND THE PKM
WHEREAS, the principal leaders and many of the members of the associations known as Hukbalahap and Pambansang Kaisahan ng mga Magbubukid (PKM), who have heretofore lived beyond the pale of the law, have voluntarily presented themselves with their arms and ammunition to the agents of the law;
WHEREAS, they recognize the authority of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and its duly constituted officers and agents, and have pledged loyalty and obedience to them, so that they may enjoy the rights and the protection under the Constitution;
WHEREAS, the return of these dissident and recalcitrant elements of our population to their homes and the resumption by them of their lawful pursuits or occupations as loyal and law-abiding citizens will accelerate the rehabilitation of this war-devastated country, restore peace and order, and secure the welfare and happiness of their communities;
WHEREAS, to achieve such a desirable result without loss of time, efforts, and blood, it is deemed necessary, just, and wise for the Government to forgive, and forego the prosecution of the crimes of rebellion, sedition, illegal association, assault upon, resistance, and disobedience to persons in authority, and/or illegal possession of firearms, which the said dissidents have committed prior to the date of this proclamation:
NOW THEREFORE, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, in accordance with the provisions of Article VII. section 10 paragraph (6) of the Constitution, do hereby declare and proclaim an amnesty in favor of the leaders and members of the associations known as Hukbalahap and Pambansang Kaisahan ng mga Magbubukid (PKM) who have committed the crimes of rebellion, sedition, illegal association, assault upon, resistance, and disobedience to persons in authority, and/or illegal possession of firearms; Provided. however, That this amnesty shall apply only to those of said groups of persons who have presented themselves with all their arms and ammunition and to those who shall have presented themselves with all their firearms and ammunition to the duly constituted authorities of the Republic of the Philippines within twenty days from the date this proclamation is concurred in by the Congress.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.
Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the second.
ELPIDIO QUIRINO
President of the Philippines
By the President:
EMILIO ABELLO
Executive Secretary