GPH, CBA-CPLA sign joint pledge of peace

GPH, CBA-CPLA sign joint pledge of peace

Manila, May 6 – The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) today signed a joint declaration signifying their unwavering commitment and partnership to pursue peace and development in the Cordilleras.

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, CPLA Chair Arsenio Humiding and CBA President Marcelina Bahatan represented the parties in the signing held at the Ortigas Park in Pasig City.

The joint declaration, according to Deles, is anchored on both parties’ mutual interest to pursue a negotiated political settlement and fast track the development of communities in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

“This is highly symbolic considering that the peace process with the CPLA started under the administration of President Cory Aquino,” she stated, stressing that the signing will contribute to the momentum of the government’s peace policy implementation and spur confidence that peace can happen under Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s leadership.

The peace adviser is hopeful that the declaration will create an atmosphere conducive to 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.”

Witnessing the signing were Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, Armed Forces Spokesman Miguel Jose Rodriguez, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Chief Trifonio Salazar, Ms. Viel Aquino-Dee, Pura Sumangil of the Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance, CAR local chief executives, OPAPP officials and civil society representatives.

More than 100 members of the CBA-CPLA arrived from the Cordilleras to attend the event.

Preparing for closure

Deles related that both parties are now preparing for a closure agreement that will lead to the transformation of the CBA-CPLA into a legitimate socio-economic entity, and disposition of arms and forces of their members.

“Instead of arms, they will bear development plans. They will be transformed into a potent, socio-economic, unarmed force that will help improve the lives of the people in the Cordilleras where development remains a challenge,” she stated.

Deles added that the closure agreement will pay tribute to the 1986 Mt. Data "Sipat" or Peace Agreement signed by both sides during the administration of then President Corazon C. Aquino.
"We are now coming full circle as P-Noy's administration will be fulfilling the aspirations of the Cordillera people, which the late President Cory started, through the closure agreement. This is something that is really close to P-Noy’s heart because the Mt. Data Peace Agreement is a legacy of his mother," she said.

The closure agreement will bring in community development and livelihood interventions in the six provinces of the Cordillera. Further, it will involve an integration program for CPLA members.

Legitimate leadership

The signing of the joint declaration, said Deles, is a manifestation of the government’s formal and public recognition of Arsenio Humiding and Marcelina Bahatan as legitimate CPLA chair and CBA president, respectively.

“It will likewise indicate CBA-CPLA’s acknowledgement that the current administration is sincere in its commitment to a closure agreement reflective of the aspirations of the CBA and CPLA for peace and development,” she added.

Founded by the late rebel priest Fr. Conrado Balweg, the CBA-CPLA is a group that split from the New People’s Army. #