‘Despite delays, closure pact between gov’t and RPA-ABB a done deal’

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12): ‘Despite delays, closure pact between gov’t and RPA-ABB a done deal’

Victor Sumulong, spokesperson of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA- ABB), said Thursday that despite the delays and hitches, he believes that the signing of their closure agreement with the national government is already a done deal.

Sumulong said their group has faith in the sincerity of the Aquino administration in pursuing the peace agreement with their group.

“It is just a matter of time and the signing will push through, we believe it is a done deal,” he added.

Sumulong was in Bacolod for the Seminar on Forest Protection and Preservation conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which will hire RPA-ABB members as forest guards.

Last April, the RPA-ABB changed its name to Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan (Brotherhood for Social Progress) as part of its compliance with the provisions of the peace agreement it signed along with its political wing, the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas (RPM-P).

Sumulong said that while both parties are waiting for the signing of the closure agreement, the preparation stage, including the establishment of Peace and Development Communities (PDC), is being undertaken.

This is among the indications that the national government is committed to push through and implement its peace agreement with the RPM-P/RPA-ABB, he added.

Sumulong said they are willing to wait for the signing of the closure agreement since the pertinent documents are already with the Office of the President.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=565195