RPM-P optimistic on peace pact

From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 29): RPM-P optimistic on peace pact

The Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade has more reason to believe in the sincerity and commitment of the Aquino administration to also sign a closure agreement with them, after inking a final peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, RPM-P chairperson Veronica Tabara said yesterday.

On Thursday afternoon, President Benigno Aquino III led the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) with the MILF at the Kalayaan grounds of Malacañang.

Tabara said she is optimistic that the signing of their own closure agreement with the government will follow soon.

“It will follow the government-MILF signing. We will have an agreed date with the government that will be announced by our information arm that is with OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process)", Tabara told the DAILY STAR.

"We have more reason to believe in the sincerity and commitment of the Aquino administration to sign the closure agreement with the RPMP/RPA/ABB after it signed the final peace agreement with the MILF, through the CAB, " she said.

“In fact, we have been continuously undertaking joint activities that are preparatory to the implementation of the provisions of the closure agreement document, on which we already have a consensus, but it still has to be finalized and signed,” Tabara said.

CAB SALUTED

It is with high hopes for a bright path of reconciliation and collaboration between the government and the MILF for the interest of peace, justice and progress of the Muslim people, and the broad masses in Mindanao, that the RPMP/RPA/ABB salutes the signing of their peace
agreement Thursday, Tabara said.

The commitment that the government and the MILF forged in this agreement to end armed hostilities and undertake measures under mutually agreed terms to address the legitimate issues and demands of the Bangsamoro, manifest their genuine and shared interest to uphold and work for the interest of the people, she noted.

"We extend our highest commendation to the leadership of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, and the leaders of the MILF on this achievement," Tabara said.

This signing heralds a historic step that will undertake the immense task of healing wounds of a decades-long armed conflict rooted in the centuries-old social injustice wrought by colonization on the early peoples of our country, that still resonates and affects Mindanao and the whole Philippines, she also said.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/March/29/topstory5.htm