RPA-ABB closure agreement may be inked by next president

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 4): RPA-ABB closure agreement may be inked by next president

The signing of the closure agreement between the Philippine government and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas- Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (Tabara-Paduano Group) may be passed on to the next administration, after all.

While signing a closure agreement with the RPM-P/RPA/ABB, “has taken a bit more time,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace ProcessTeresita Quintos-Deles said this was because the government was determined to undertake due diligence in terms of the agreement to avoid the mistakes in previous peace agreements.

The term of President Benigno Aquino III ends June 30 this year. 

But Deles said some components of the agreement have, however, already proceeded, particularly putting in place implementing guidelines, mechanisms, and structures that will support the agreement with RPM-P/RPA/ABB once signed.

The national government has earmarked P66 million for the Department of Interior and Local Government–PAMANA projects for the three RPM-P-RPA-ABB (Tabara Paduano Group) sites, which are located in Brgy. Tagucon, Kabankalan City, Brgy. Celestino Villacin in Cadiz City and Brgy. Bagonbon, San Carlos City.

In a statement issued by OPAPP, Deles stressed the importance of the “closure process” with the RPM-P/RPA/ABB and Cordillera People's Liberation Army, as these show that the government can be trusted to do fulfill its pledge or commitment, she said. 

The Visayas-based RPM-P/RPA/ABB converted itself into the Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan (Brotherhood for Social Progress), a legitimate socio-economic and political organization pursuing social justice as a key to lasting peace and genuine progress.

“[The] government does not play around with peace agreements,” Deles declared. “It will hold these sacred and deliver on their promises.”

But she admitted that the most difficult peace table is still the one with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army- National Democratic Front.

She recalled that when the Aquino administration was able to break the impasse it inherited in 2010, the negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF “started off as well as the MILF peace process.” 

Deles lamented that this early optimism in the peace table with the CPP/NPA/NDF was a short-lived period, and by the middle of 2011, they (CPP/NPA/NDF) had suspended talks. 

She also said that the Aquino administration is proud of its achievements in the negotiations to end the conflict in the Bangsamoro as it pursued a framework of convergence in the peace tables with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front.

Deles said the better position for government was achieved in the peace process under the present administration.

“The administration of President Aquino will turn over to the next President a peace process that is better-positioned than it was six years ago,” Deles said.

She said the signing of closure agreement with CPLA marked one unfinished business that will not be passed on to the next administration.

The CPLA turned over 337 firearms, while 27 explosives have been detonated. A total of 168 CPLA members have been integrated into the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The OPAPP, meanwhile has already profiled more than 700 RPA-ABB members, including several hundreds of firearms and explosives.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2016/May/04/topstory7.htm