IT all started with the second State of the Nation Address (SONA), where a statement was made — 'to complete this reintegration, I will issue a proclamation granting amnesty to rebel returnees, and I ask Congress to support me in this endeavor.'

The joint communique between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) was affirmed and signed on Nov. 23, 2023. The joint statement is a product of a series of informal discussions held in the Netherlands and Norway starting in 2022 between the emissaries of the GRP and NDFP with the facilitation of the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG). The parties recognize the initiative of former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista (ret.), which was personally welcomed by then NDFP chief political consultant Jose Ma. Sison.