President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo exhorted Congress anew yesterday to affirm the government’s amnesty proclamation to pave the way for communist rebels who want to rejoin mainstream society and live in peace to do so soonest.

The President issued the call during her private meeting with rebel returnees from Negros Island, a Malacañang press statement said.

Congressional confirmation of her amnesty proclamation would enable the communist rebels to rejoin society and live with their loved ones again, the President said.

She pointed out that, aside from the rebel returnees she met this afternoon, many more rebels in Negros Oriental and other parts of the country have expressed their willingness to surrender their arms and end their rebellion but are waiting for Congress to affirm the amnesty proclamation.

The rebels have expressed apprehension that once they give up their armed struggle and rejoin society, they would be charged with rebellion and other criminal complaints.*

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