WHEREAS, on November 19, 1949, a number of citizens, headed by Francisco Medrano, took up arms in the Province of Batangas against the Government in the mistaken belief that they had just grievances against the duly constituted authorities which could be redressed by armed resistance;

WHEREAS, by resorting to arms the said persons have committed serious crimes against public order which are defined and penalized under the Revised Penal Code as rebellion, sedition and disloyalty;

WHEREAS, criminal charges have been filed in court against a number of the rebels but the fact that such uprising was motivated by the belief that the leaders and members thereof had just grievances against the duly constituted authorities is not a valid defense under the laws of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, Francisco Medrano and some participants in the above-mentioned uprising, who have for sometime lived beyond the pale of the law, have voluntarily presented themselves with their arms and ammunitions to the agents of the law, recognized the authority of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the duly constituted officers and agents thereof, and have pledged loyalty and obedience to the same so that they may enjoy the rights and protection guaranteed by the Constitution;

WHEREAS, the return of the rebels to their homes and the resumption by them of their lawful pursuits or occupations as loyal and law-abiding citizens will accelerate the economic development and rehabilitation of the country, restore peace and order and promote the welfare and happiness of the people in general; and

WHEREAS, to achieve such a desirable result, without further loss of time, efforts and blood, it is deemed necessary, just and wise for the Government to forgive, and forego the prosecution of said rebels for the crimes of rebellion, sedition and disloyalty.

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 Francisco Medrano and the individuals who participated with him in the Batangas uprising for the crimes, of rebellion, sedition and disloyalty, as defined and penalized under the Revised Penal Code, subject to the condition that the rebels shall surrender to the Constabulary authorities in the Province of Batangas, together with their arms and ammunitions, and other military equipment and supplies, within fifteen days from the date of the concurrence by the Congress of the Philippines in this proclamation. Cases now pending in court against the said rebels for the crimes herein mentioned shall proceed in accordance with legal procedure without regard to this proclamation, but the accused therein may set up as defense the amnesty herein granted.

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 4th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fourth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO
President of the Philippines

By the President:
MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary