Speech of Sec. Teresita Quintos-Deles during the signing of the MOA with CPLA

Speech of SECRETARY TERESITA QUINTOS-DELES
On the occasion of the signing of the MOA with CPLA
Ortigas Park; May 6, 2011

Naimbag nga bigat a da kau amin.

We have looked forward to this day with much hope and anticipation. It has been almost nine months of patient dialogue and hard work as we tried to reach a closure agreement towards the CPLA’s final disposition of arms and forces and its transformation into a potent, socio-economic, unarmed force.

We know, in the midst of today’s celebratory mood, that the path will not be easier, given the challenges that hounded us during our search for a common path and solution. Hindi naging madali ang ating pinagdaanan. Alam din natin na marami pa tayong hamon na haharapin. Maraming mga pagdududang umusbong tungkol sa landas na tinahak natin. There have been questions about the capacity of CPLA as an armed force. There have been the persisting problems of internal splits, splintering, and banditry that had put to question the credibility of CPLA in Baguio City, in particular.

These realities have not blinded us to the fact that in many areas in the Cordillera, the CPLA exists as cohesive communities with combatants that are armed. They are still impoverished, still neglected, yet still earnestly hoping that their future generation will not feel compelled to take up arms like their elders did. The ceasefire agreement that the government signed with them 25 years ago had led to circuitous processes that did not lead to any kind of closure. We cannot keep moving this way because it is not the honourable thing to do--neither for government nor for the armed group. Because, in addition to the arms are the hidden wounds that a whole generation continues to carry. Beyond the question of their potency as an armed group is the healing of an entire generation that we, in effect, deny by deliberately ignoring what their history will not. Kung ano ang magandang sinimulan dalawampu’t limang taon na ang nakalipas ay dapat lamang tapusin nang may klaro at maayos na kaganapan.

I have been to many remote areas where I have heard: “Kailangan pa bang mag-armas kami bago mapakinggan? Kailangan pa bang makapatay at mamatayan kami, bago kami seryosohin?” More than this and from a high moral ground, we have to view the CPLA—and the other armed groups that are in dialogue with government—for the seriousness and the gravity of their causes, and address them on the basis of the root causes of the conflict that pushed them to take up arms in the first place.

Today, we sign the joint declaration of commitment for peace following the consensus between the two parties to implement a Closure Agreement that will embody six elements:

1. community projects for identified communities;
2. livelihood and employment support for CPLA members ;
3. sub-regional  development projects;
4. legacy documentation. (And I just want to give a few words on this: The CPLA has asked that we allow and support them to write their story so that their history will not be forgotten, so that they will not disappear as a significant player in the landscape of the Cordillera. And we applaud this as an essential part of any closure process.);
5. final disposition of arms and forces—We are looking forward to the registration if not the surrendering of all arms. The CPLA is acknowledging there is one legitimate armed force – the one of the state, the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and
6. transformation of the CBA-CPLA into a potent, unarmed socio-economic organization.

We have, from each side, designated a panel or committee which will be working very hard on the detail of the process and procedures that will go into the final peace agreement which will be signed in Malacanang, upon approval of the President, within the next two weeks. What we have signed today embodies and builds upon the Mt. Data Peace Agreement. This is an historic moment as it starts the process to gear to a full closure on the 25th Anniversary of the  EDSA People Power , a peace process that was made possible by the very same people uprising.

On a personal note, the process will come to a full circle, as what was initiated during the time of President Corazon Aquino will be resolved during the administration of her son, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. On the side of the CPLA it entails an essential shift in the way the CPLA views itself: no longer as an armed group with a command structure that has commanders as leaders, and combatants as members, but as a potent, socioeconomic, unarmed force that can directly make a difference in the lives of their families and communities, and in the pace and direction of development of communities in the Cordillera, a region that continues to pose enormous challenges to our poverty reduction and human development goals and targets. They will replace their weapons for fighting with instruments for development and peace.

I believe that such a major paradigm shift becomes possible, in large part, due to the high level of trust that exists—a trust made possible because of the changed political climate and the new political leadership of P.Noy. I hope that the relationship that we have built based on dignity, mutual trust and respect will continue to hold ground, and will carry us through the pitfalls and landmines that will meet us along the way. Daytoy nga intayu panagkakadwa nga base iti dayaw, talek iti maysa ken maysa, ken respeto ket nam-namaen tayu nga agtul-tuloy nga mangiturong kadatayo nga agnanayon uray nu aniaman nga riribok nga sumangbay.

In behalf of the President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, our beloved P.Noy, I extend this government’s continuing commitment to keep the trust and deliver. The declaration we signed today is but one track of the government’s commitment to end all armed conflict within this Administration. As everyone knows, we are pushing all so very hard for the resolution of many peace tables – with the MILF, the CPP-NPA-NDF, as well as closure processes with the MNLF and the RPMP-RPA-ABB.

We will do all that is necessary to bring lasting solutions to ensure peace for the communities in Cordillera in partnership with CBA and the soon-to-be-transformed CPLA.  I can definitely say that the future is brighter, as this agreement creates an atmosphere conducive to development, which makes it so much easier for us to facilitate support from all stakeholders, including the CSOs, the private sectors, the LGUs, and the donor communities. The prospects excite us, to say the least.

Kasihan nawa tayo ng Maykapal sa lahat ng pagsisikap na ginagawa natin para sa kapayapaan. Kasama ninyo, patuloy akong nananalig na magtatagumpay tayo.

Maraming salamat po. Dios ti agngin.