Cordillera local execs support Humiding-led CPLA; hope for early signing of closure pact with gov't

Baguio City, June 8 – Local chief executives of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have formally expressed their support to Arsenio Humiding, chair of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) while hoping for the early signing and implementation of a closure agreement between the government and the armed group.

The CPLA, together with its political wing Cordillera Bodong Administration (CBA), is set to sign a closure agreement with the Government of the Philippines (GPH) soon, with the following components: documentation of the CBA-CPLA struggle;  economic reintegration and livelihood of CPLA members; development of communities with CBA-CPLA presence; transformation of the CBA-CPLA into a legal entity for socio-economic development; and inter-municipal and inter-barangay economic development for selected areas of the Cordillera. This agreement will lead towards a gradual process of integration and disposition of arms and forces of the CPLA members.

In a manifesto, Luna Mayor Betty Caluya-Verzola and Apayao Mayor Batara P. Laoat conveyed their support to Humiding, and underscored the “beneficial” and “favorable” effects of the closure pact to the region.

Abra CBA Federation President Masayo C. Domasing, in a letter to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, expressed his recognition, respect and concurrence on the leadership of Humiding, as well as Marcelina C. Bahatan, president of the CBA.
 
Further, he requested Deles to facilitate the finalization, formalization and approval of the closure agreement in pursuit of the comprehensive peace and development in Cordillera.

Resolution of support

The League of Municipal Mayors led by Besao Mayor Wellington Pooten, on the other hand, recently submitted a resolution to President Benigno Aquino III articulating support to the “Joint Declaration of Commitment for Peace” signed by the GPH and the CBA-CPLA on May 5 at the Ortigas Park in Pasig City.

Among those who initialed the resolution include Besao Mayor Wellington Pooten, Sadanga Mayor Gabino Ganggangan, Bontoc Mayor Pascual Sacgaca, Sagada Mayor Eduardo Latawan, Paracelis Mayor Avelino Amangyen, Sabangan Mayor Donato Danglose, Tadian Mayor Anthony Wooden, Natonin Mayor Mathew Chiyawan, Barlig Mayor Edmundo Sidchayao and Bauko Mayor Simon Lacwasan.

In the resolution, the local officials have also requested for the early signing and immediate implementation of the closure agreement.

The closure pact is expected to bring in community development and livelihood interventions in some 57 barangays all over the Cordillera region. Further, it will involve an integration program for CPLA members.

A splinter group of the New People’s Army, the CBA-CPLA forged the Mt. Data “Sipat” Peace Accord in 1986 during the administration of former President Corazon Aquino. #