Benguet PPOC asks help of RPOC, AFP on CPLA issues

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 2): Benguet PPOC asks help of RPOC, AFP on CPLA issues

The Benguet Provincial Peace and Order Council is seeking the help of the Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in looking into the various activities of men allegedly posing as Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army(CPLA)  in the different municipalities of the province.

During the  first quarter Provincial Peace and Order Council  meeting at the Benguet Capitol last week, officials from the different municipalities reported on the various activities of alleged CPLA  members which is creating fright among the people.

Governor Nestor Fongwan said the reports of the different officials of Benguet on the activities of alleged CPLA is alarming .

Tuba mayor Florencio Bentrez said that there have been activities of alleged CPLA people wearing uniforms and harassing residents of particularly at the disputed areas between Baguio and Tuba. He also reported of  alleged sighting of at least a hundred CPLA members at the Santa Lucia area conducting their  training.

An extortion activity  was  also reported to have been  committed by these armed men at some of the small scale mining sites in Kennon Road.

The 106th Community Defense Center Army Reserve Command that conducted inspection of the area found out that the men posing threat to the civilians in the area  were  using Philippine Army uniforms.

Bakun Vice Mayor Edwin Bandao also reported activities of armed men posing as CPLA who conducted information, education and communication campaign on the Cordillera Regional Autonomy in Barangay Sagpat in Bakun on February 11. The group allegedly  asked  the residents to join their cause and support them by giving financial support.

501st Infantry Brigade Commanding General Roger Salvador said that the CPLA has already been transformed into an unarmed people’s organization through the signing of the closure agreement with the Philippine Government thru the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Salvador explained that among the conditions in the closure agreement are the laying down of firearms and transformation of the armed group into a civic organization. The CPLA has already transformed themselves into the Cordillera Forum for Peace and Development who have been working with the different line agencies in ensuring that peace and development programs are given to where they are intended.

Some  qualified CPLA members  have been integrated into Philippine Army  and while others were provided  different programs of the government such as livelihood  programs  and as forest guards.

Fongwan has tasked the police and military to look into the reports and verify or take action if necessary .

Meanwhile, Benguet Provincial Police Office Director PSSupt. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said that they will be taking proper actions  in case these people have violated the  law.

The 50th Infantry Battalion headed by Batallion Commander Richard Sibayan based in Benguet will also be looking into the issue to make sure that the reported armed men would not harm the people.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=41393526956