TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 8 -- Nine former rebels in Northern Samar and six others in Leyte have been issued safe conduct passes (SCPs), signaling continued progress in the government's Amnesty Program aimed at promoting peaceful reintegration and reducing local armed conflict.

In Northern Samar, the National Amnesty Commission (NAC), through the Local Amnesty Board (LAB)-Catbalogan, released SCPs to nine beneficiaries during a ceremony held Monday at the headquarters of the Philippine Army's (PA) 19th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Opong, Catubig town.

The activity, conducted in partnership with the PA's 803rd Infantry Brigade and the Northern Samar Provincial Police Office, formed part of intensified efforts to support former members o...