GRANTING AMNESTY TO THE LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BATANGAS UPRISING WHICH COMMENCED ON NOVEMBER 19, 1949.

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

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