PNoy admin, CPLA deal ends 25-yr. conflict in Cordilleras

The Aquino administration and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) and its political arm, the Cordillera Bodong Administration (CBA), on Monday signed a closure agreement that formally ended a 25-year armed rebellion in the region. An estimated 1,200 former rebels will be integrated back into mainstream society, with both the CPLA and the CBA shifting from being a rebel organization to a socio-economic institution in the Cordilleras. The agreement, “Towards the CPLA’s Final Disposition of Arms and Forces and its Transformation into a Potent Socio-Economic Unarmed Force," was signed at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace. The government signatories were Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia Jr., Social Welfare and Development Sec. Corazon “Dinky" Soliman, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat, Apayao Gov. Elias C. Bulut Jr., and local government officials from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). On the part of the former rebels, the signatories were CPLA chairman Arsenio Humiding and CBA chair Marcelina Bahatan, while CPLA zone commanders stood as witnesses. President Benigno Aquino III attended the historic event, together with representatives from local government units (LGUs) in the Cordilleras and members of civil society. According to Deles, it took them “almost nine months of patient dialogue and hard work" to reach a closure agreement. ‘Generation-long peace process’ In his speech, the President Aquino said that the MOA is “the step that will finally end a generation-long peace process between the two parties." Aquino then exchanged tokens with the CPLA-CBA officials which stood as symbols of their respective commitments to the pact. The President gave Humiding and Bahatan a capiz (“mother of pearl") sculpture that represents his administration’s vision of peace and development for the country and the Filipino people. In return, he received a traditional, hand-woven G-string ensemble to which Aquino quipped in jest, “Hindi yata babagay sa akin iyan." In 1986, the CPLA-CBA broke off with the New People’s Army (NPA) and started negotiations with government then under President Corazon Aquino, mother of incumbent President Aquino. 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," Deles said. Also to be created under the agreement is a joint committee to oversee the management, operation and utilization of resources in the implementation of development projects. The committee will also monitor and evaluate the progress of the agreement, as well as make sure that transparency measures, a grievance mechanism, and a mediation and conciliation system are in place. Integration program On the disposition of arms by 1,200 CPLA members, peace adviser Deles said 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," she explained. The Aquino administration expects the agreement to draw attention to efforts at ending all armed conflict, including the pursuit of peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front, Deles said. In terms of the program’s impact in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Deles said it would help promote social and economic development in the region. “This would make it easier for us to facilitate support from all stakeholders, including the civil society groups, the private sector, the local government units, and the donor communities," she said. PNoy cites Mt. Data Peace Accord In a speech he gave after the agreement was signed, President Aquino underscored concerted government efforts and the people of Cordillera in attaining peace and progress in the region as envisioned by his late mother during her term as President. One of the concrete accomplishments of his mother was the September 1986 signing of the Mt. Data Peace Accord between the government and the CPLA that fought the Marcos regime, Aquino said. “Sa araw pong ito, humahakbang tayo tungo sa katuparan ng isa sa mga pangunahing mithiin ng aking ina, ang makamit ang pambansang kapayapaan at pagkakaisa. Mula sa pagiging ilaw ng tahanan hanggang sa kanyang panunungkulan bilang Pangulo ng bansa, mula sa kanyang pagiging isang simpleng sibilyan hanggang sa kanyang huling hantungan, tangan ng aking ina ang liwanag ng kapayapaan na siya niyang ipinamana sa sambayanang Pilipino," he said. The President cited all individuals and groups involved in forging the closure agreement, their efforts and contributions in the peace negotiations. He also enjoined the Cordilleran communities to continue cooperating with the government in maintaining peace and order in their area, and challenged them to take their part towards quietude and progress. “Kaya namin kayong tulungan. Dadamayan namin kayo sa bawat hakbang, pero sa dulo po noon kayo naman po talaga ang aasahan namin para may mangyari po sa Cordillera. Siguro naman po talagang mapapabilis natin ang pagbabago sa susunod na dalawang taon," he said. On the Official Gazette government website, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda released a statement. “This agreement [between the government and CPLA-CBA] culminates the long and significant transformation the CPLA has undergone — from a group of armed resistance to a socio-economic organization working toward peace and progress in Cordillera," Lacierda said. “The agreement also aims to promote the CPLA as a socio-economic organization — one that partners with the government in pursuing development and livelihood projects; one that gives ample assistance to its members who are looking for work; one that helps in the documentation of their culture; and one that will organize and undertake the final dispossession of arms," he added. A socio-economic organization “From an armed group, we will now be a potent force that will drive development and economic growth in our communities," CPLA Chairman Humiding said before he met President Aquino at the official signing of the closure agreement. Humiding, who had 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. Aside from the goal of reaching a just and peaceful settlement with the armed groups, government has also put up a complimentary developmental track: 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, she said. — With Marlon Tonson/VS, GMA News