Rebels junk armed struggle, change group’s name

From the Daily Tribune (Apr 19): Rebels junk armed struggle, change group’s name

Having decided to surrender a long established principle of armed struggle to change the structure of society, the armed group known as Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade Tabara Paduano Group (RPM-P/RPA/ABB TPG) is now to be called as “Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan” or a Brotherhood for Social Progress" and would embrace now the system of Philippine government.

In 2000, an agreement was signed between the former rebel group and with the government, after the group’s three-day general assembly where they drafted their new constitution and by-laws and defined their new organizational directions.

Lawyer Maria Cleofe Gettie Sandoval, undersecretary of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), said the formation of the Brotherhood for Social Progress is in line with the goal of the government to transform the RPM-P/RPA/ABB TPG into a legitimate socio-economic and political organization, as outlined by the proposed Closure Agreement Toward the Disposition of Arms and Forces.

Sandoval said the agreement is now under review for signing.

Sandoval added that the general assembly and the formation of the KPP serve as indicators of the TPG’s sincere intention of returning to the folds of government and into mainstream society.

Marlon de los Santos, KPP secretary, said “even without the signing, this is our way of showing the people that we intend to fulfill our obligation to the government by meeting the requirement of the peace agreement for the group’s institutional transformation.”

“We are tired of hiding and we want to use legitimate means to pursue our cause,” De los Santos said.

The KPP will pursue social justice as a key to lasting peace and genuine progress, De los Santos said.
“The new organization endeavors to improve economic conditions and welfare of its former combatant members and strengthen its capabilities so that it could effectively pursue its commitment to continue to work for the interest of the working masses and pursue substantial reforms for the betterment of the working people,” De los Santos added.

The KPP elected officers include Gilbert Arsenal as president; Placido Perfas as vice president; Marlon del os Santos as secretary; Fortunato Duran as treasurer, Antonio Bagabon as public information officer; Santos Malinao as auditor; Herminihildo Oliver as vice president for District 4 in situ; Ramel Factora as representative for Mindanao; Ivan Siosan as representative for Panay; Jon Reyes as representative for the National Capital Region; and Giovanni Banista as sergeant at arms.

The newly-formed organization’s membership includes the squad and territorial command officials of the former rebel group.

 http://www.tribuneonline.org/index.php/metro-section/item/13044-rebels-junk-armed-struggle-change-group’s-name