158 former CPLA members integrated into PA's 5th Infantry Division

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 4): 158 former CPLA members integrated into PA's 5th Infantry Division

The Isabela-based 5th Infantry Division said it successfully integrated 158 former members of the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA) during short ceremonies Wednesday.

This signified the closure of the integration component of the CPLA peace process, 5th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Joel P. Ibanez said.

All 158 completed their training and had pledged allegiance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in service of the Filipino people.

With the collaboration of the different government agencies, Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process, AFP and Philippine National Police, and with the support of all stakeholders in the government and civilian sectors, the integration component of the peace process for the CPLA has finally come to an end.

Ibanez said the beneficiaries of the integration program surrendered 152 firearms of different calibers as part of the peace process.

This started when then President Corazon Aquino and Father Conrado Balweg, representing the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Cordillera People's Liberation Army, respectively, signed the peace agreement or the “Sipat.”

Stalled for more than two decades, the “Sipat” had gone through a rough process for about 27 years.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=593557