Splits and Internal Squabbles

Balweg Stewardship

The 1st internal problem has emerged from the unaccounted funds intended for the CBA/CPLA during the Cordillera Day celebration in Brgy. Sabnangan, Luba, Abra on 21-24 April 1993.  On the 25 June of the same year, a coup has been attempted by CPLA members of Kalinga but failed to dislodge the leadership of Balweg who was criticized for his preoccupation with treasure-hunting activities, misuse of CPLA funds and was also accused of negligence to the morale and welfare of the CPLA members.

Molina & Balweg Factions

In July 1993, James Sawatang and Mailed Molina, two (2) of Balweg’s deputies, have created their own faction due to differences in the concept of integration. The two (2) favored the CPLA integration into the AFP as a civilian auxiliary army but Balweg insisted into the full implementation of the provisions of EO 220 and the creation of the Cordillera Regional Security Force.

In June 1994, the split of CPLA into Molina and Balweg factions have been brought to open. During this time, Balweg Faction enjoyed the political support of the incumbent local officials while Molina Faction capitalized on the “integration scheme” and was able to win-over 90% of the armed CPLA members leaving Balweg with less than 30 armed followers.

In May 1997, the CPLA officers of Abra, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao and Apayao jointly denounced Balweg’s alleged atrocities against CPLA and proclaimed their recognition to the leadership of Molina and Abrino Aydna.

On July 23 1999, seventeen (17) ranking original CPLA leaders led by James Sawatang signed a Manifesto denouncing representation of Balweg and Molina in line with the CPLA integration into the AFP.

On December 31, 1999, Balweg was assassinated by the NPA in Malibcong, Abra whereby Corazon Cortel Balweg, his widow, took over the leadership of the CPLA Balweg Faction.

Unification Efforts

On June 29, 2003, a resolution declaring the consolidation of the Balweg and Molina factions into a unified single military has been signed. Molina has assumed as the CPLA Commander and the other officers are Abrino Aydinan as Deputy Commander, Mrs. Corazon Balweg as Chief of Staff and Arsenio Humiding as Southern Cordillera Command (SCC) Commander.

In November 2004, Rafael Wasan and Michael Sugguiyao, both leaders of the Aydinan-Wasan-Sugguyiao Splinter Group have joined the Unified CPLA Command.

On April 24, 2008, after the death of Mrs. Corazon Balweg, the CPLA chose Molina and Miguel Sugguiyao Jr as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively. The other top officers of the CPLA were: Arsenio Humiding, Political Affairs Officer, Leonardo Bun-as, Chief of Staff and Juanita Chulsi, Deputy Chief of Staff.

In 2009, Molina designated Sugguiyao as acting CPLA Chairman until May 2011 to concentrate on his candidacy for Abra’s lone congressional seat.

Molina-Sugguyiao & Humiding Factions

On October 22, 2009, a resolution has been signed by the different CPLA zone commanders on their loss of confidence in the leadership of Molina for having no clear vision and agenda for the organization and for the Cordillerans. On November 10, 2009, a Declaration of Support has been signed by the collective leadership of the CPLA for the installation of Arsenio Humiding as CPLA Interim Chairman.

Amidst the split, to date, Molina-Sugguiyao Group maintained a separate faction with about 300 members from an initial of 2,000.

Installation of Humiding as CPLA Chairman

In December 2009, a resolution has been signed by the CPLA command authorizing interim Chairman Arsenio Humiding and Leonardo Bun-As as official signatories in all transactions with the government and peace partners.

On January 18, 2011, a resolution has been passed by the CPLA High Command to manifest the collective trust and confidence to the Chairmanship of Arsenio Humiding and to express support to the ongoing efforts of the CPLA in negotiating with government for the final completion of the Mt. Data Peace Agreement.

Humiding during the plenum vowed to rekindle the principles for which the organization was created – collective decision-making, pro-people and pro-environment development policies and programs, active participation in the movement for self-determination, and ensuring the continuing operationalization of the Peace Agreement entered between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the CPLA.