Delay in peace pact causing impatience

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 23): Delay in peace pact causing impatience

Some members of the Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan, which used to be the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa–Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (Tabara- Paduano wing), are becoming impatient with the delay in the signing of the closure peace agreement.

The president of the group, Gilbert Arsenal, yesterday said the signing of the closure peace agreement between the government and the KPP had been awaited by the members of the former rebel armed group since last year.

While stating their unwavering commitment to the peace process, Arsenal said they continue to get in touch with their members, and explain to them the delay in the signing.

The RPM-RPA-ABB, which has 716 members as profiled by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, entered into a peace agreement with the government in year 2000. They possess more than 400 firearms and 300 explosives, OPPAP records show.

“The ball is now in the hands of the government on how to fast-track the peace agreement ,” Arsenal said.

Earlier, OPPA issued a statement that the draft of the closure peace agreement is still under due diligence review.

“We hope to be able to finish the process soon and move towards the signing,” OPPAP, told the DAILY STAR.

The changing of RPA-ABB armed group name to KPP, or Brotherhood for Social Progress, is in line with the goal of the government to transform the group into a legitimate socio-economic and political organization.

Arsenal said he estimates a 50 percent compliance with the provisions of the signed peace agreement, and that the government has yet to drop the criminal cases against their colleagues, and issue special gun permits to KPP leaders, among others.

Other advocacy areas of the KPP are women, children, and the environment. The group maintains that safeguarding these areas is an “inseparable component” for upholding the rights and welfare of the working masses.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/August/23/topstory5.htm