Two warring CPLA factions merge to push Cordillera autonomy

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The two factions of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army, which have been at odds since 1994 when they split, set aside their differences for their common aspiration for the establishment of an autonomous government in the Cordillera as provided for in the 1987 Constitution.

The "unification" of the CPLA would also mean a cessation of hostilities between the two factions, their leaders said.

In a meeting held in Bulanao last April 24, top leaders of both factions -- the Balweg and Molina wings -- agreed to unite and remain "as one" through the indigenous practice called sapata after choosing the officers of their high command through consensus.

Chosen chairman and vice-chairman were former Bucloc, Abra Mayor Mailed Molina, leader of the Molina faction, and Miguel Sugguiyao Jr. of the Balweg faction, respectively.

The other top officers of the reunited CPLA are the following: Arsenio Humiding (Molina faction), political affairs officer; Leonardo Bun-as (Balweg faction), chief of staff; and Juanita Chulsi (Molina faction), deputy chief of staff.

Engineer Andres Ngaoi, CPLA member, informed media that Secretary Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and Philippine National Police Cordillera Regional Director Eugene Martin witnessed the oath-taking of the officers of the CPLA high command the following night at the Davidson Hotel in Bulanao.

Sugguiyao told local media the process of reunification which started in 2004 and was facilitated by the OPAPP and the National Security Council was hastened by their common perception that the national government was seemingly insincere in the new drive for Cordillera autonomy.

Sugguiyao said the choice of the Regional Development Council to spearhead the drive was especially suspicious because the advent of autonomy would mean a lethal blow to the council.

Saying that despite the split in the ranks of the CPLA, they never stopped working for autonomy, Molina said that giving the CPLA a more important role in the drive for autonomy was stipulated in the memorandum of agreement forged by the government and the CPLA on April 25 in this city as a result of a workshop on the concerns of the CPLA sponsored by the OPAPP.

Dureza signed for the government while Molina signed for the CPLA. -- EAJ