Sunday, November 8, 2020

CPLA turns over guns; OPAPP chief pushes Cordi peace program

LA TRINIDAD Benguet -- Some 444 firearms turned  in  by the  Cordillera People’s Liberation Army at the Police Regional Office – Cordillera at Camp Bado Dangwa here last week were destroyed in rites graced by presidential adviser of peace process Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. who pushed for more  programs to attain peace in Cordillera.
    The destruction of the firearms was under the normalization program of the Government of the Philippines - Cordillera Bodong Administration – Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (GPH – CBA – CPLA) Peace Process, also known as the Mt. Data Peace Accord signed on Sept. 13, 1986.
    The agreement also paved the way for the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region under Executive Order No. 220.
    “Since the Mt. Data Peace Accord was signed on Sept. 13, 1986, the government and the CBA-CPLA have been continuously working together to achieve the single objective- to establish a peaceful, orderly and progressive Cordillera,” he said..
     “Ngunit hindi po dito natatapos sa okasyong ito ang prosesong pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at ng CBA – CPLA, sa halip inaasahan po natin na mas titibay pa ang samahan na ito dahil sa iba pang kasunduan na ating ipapapatupad,” he added.
     Galvez said for 24 years, numerous socio – economic development programs were implemented under the peace accord  including the reintegration of several members of the CBA – CPLA in the Philippine Army and employment of others as forest guards of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as enrollment to Philhealth and education assistance.
    Government also gave assistance in terms of livelihood, organization of 10 peoples organizations and development projects in communities such as farm to market roads, building of tribal houses among others, he added.
    Galvez said implementation of all the agreements under the peace accord would continue.
    Through OPAPP and under the guidance of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Galvez said they will continue to implement under the GPH – CBA – CPLA Peace Accord  and will review if there are  more government assistance they can provide 
    At present, OPAPP is pushing in Congress inclusion of around P225.42 million in the OPAPP budget for calendar year 2021 for funding of  socio – economic development projects under the peace accord, he added. 
    Joining Galvez in the ceremony were Assistant Secretary for Reconciliation and Immunity Andres Aguinaldo Jr., Philippine     National Police Peace Process and Development Center Chief Brig. Gen. Walter Castillejos, Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Commander Maj. Gen.  Arnulfo Burgos Jr., Philippine Army 503rd Brigade Commander Henry Doyaoen, Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong,  and Police Regional Office  – Cordillera  officials headed by Brig. Gen. R’Win Pagkalinawan.
     Also present were  members of the Peace Accord joint evaluation and monitoring committee headed by chairperson PA 5th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen Arnulfo Burgos Jr. and vice  chairperson Andres Ngao-i and other former officials and elders of the CBA – CPLA. -- PIA CAR

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