Cordillera armed group signs closure pact with gov't; shifts from armed force into socio-economic organization

Manila, July 4 - The Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA), a group that broke away from the New People’s Army (NPA) in 1986, is set to sign a closure pact today with the Government of the Philippines (GPH), marking their transformation into a socio-economic organization to help advance peace and development in Cordilleran communities.
 
 
"From an armed group, we will now be a potent force that will drive development and economic growth in our communities," CPLA Chairman Arsenio Humiding said as he looks forward to meeting President Benigno Aquino III at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace to officially sign the agreement.
 
 
Humiding, with Marcelina Bahatan, president of CPLA's political wing, the Cordillera Bodong Administration (CBA), will sign the agreement on behalf of the Cordillera rebel group. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles will be government's signatory.
 
 
The closure agreement provides for community-identified projects, livelihood and employment support for CPLA members, sub-regional development projects, legacy documentation and final disposition of arms and forces, all leading towards the group's development into an unarmed, socio-economic organization.
 
 
The closure agreement will also be signed by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia Jr., Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman, Ifugao Congressman Teddy Brawner Baguilat, Apayao Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr., local government officials from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and CPLA zone commanders, as witnesses. It will be attended by members of civil society representatives,LGUs in the Cordilleras, together with the President.
 
 
According to Deles, it took them “almost nine months of patient dialogue and hard work” as they tried to reach a closure agreement.
 
 
While the government pursues peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), she said that the event will draw attention to the present administration’s efforts to end all armed conflicts within its term.
 
 
“This is highly symbolic considering that the peace process with the CPLA started under the administration of President Cory Aquino,” Deles stated.
 
 
The peace adviser is optimistic that the agreement will help promote development in CAR. “This would make it easier for us to facilitate support from all stakeholders, including the civil society groups, the private sectors, the local government units, and the donor communities.”
 
 
On the disposition of arms and forces of 1,200 CPLA members, she said that both parties will pursue a process that will be mutually agreed upon. “But definitely, it will involve an integration program for CPLA members. Qualified members may be integrated into the Armed Forces of the Philippines or employed with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as forest guards or rangers, or other government agencies in need of personnel,” the peace adviser explained.
 
 
Humiding, who has been looking forward to the signing, believes that this will not just pave the way for peace and development in CAR but also build a stronger partnership between the GPH and the CBA-CPLA.
 
 
PAMANA
 
Aside from the goal of reaching a just and peaceful settlement with the armed groups, a complimentary developmental track has also been put up by the government. The Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) or PAMANA program serves to help win the peace in various communities nationwide.
 
 
“There are seven PAMANA zones, and among them is in the Cordilleras. PAMANA will assist the CPLA in their plans of achieving security and development in the area,” Deles said.
 
 
With the closure agreement with the CPLA and with the PAMANA initiatives in CAR, the region is well on its way to a prosperous start with combined efforts of the government and the different communities in the area. #