Tuesday, September 10, 2019

RPA-ABB closure pact eminent

From the Visayan Daily Star (Sep 10, 2019): RPA-ABB closure pact eminent

The closure of the peace agreement between the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa–Pilipinas - Revolutionary Proletarian Army - Alex Boncayao Brigade - Tabara Paduano-Group (RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG) and the Philippine government is now imminent.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process reported yesterday that the launching of the disposition of arms and forces of RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG is scheduled between Sept. 16 and 18. However, the venue has not been revealed yet.

About 300 high-powered and short, as well as explosives were brought Sunday to Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, for inventory by the Philippine Army and National Police.

OPAPP said in a statement that the disposition of firearms of the
RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG, also known as Kapatiran and Progresibong Lipunan, forms part of the agreements stated in the Clarificatory Implementing Document (CID) signed by the group and the Philippine Government in July 19, towards the completion of the commitments in the 2000 peace agreement.


Members of the RPA-ABB from cities of San Carlos and Cadiz, EB Magalona, Talisay City and Cauayan in Negros Occidental, were escorted by policemen and Army soldiers, who also secured the surrendered 300 firearms and explosives.

Maj. Edison Garcia, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, yesterday said that the demilitarization of RPA-ABB forces is a prelude to the National Task Force-Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict of President Rodrigo Duterte, that aims to end the more than 50 years of insurgency problem in the country.

The CID, which serves as the final and absolute settlement of the 2000 peace deal, has five components that includes Disposition of Arms and Forces (DAF) as well as security arrangements, social and economic reintegration of the RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG, release of the remaining alleged political offenders, transformation of the armed group into a civilian organization engaging in socio-economic and political activities; and Community Peace Dividends.

“This undertaking is a testament to the commitment of the KAPATIRAN to continue their journey on the path of peace despite the challenges and the continuing threats to their security,” Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said in a statement.

OPAPP also disclosed that part of the preparatory work for the disposition of arms and forces of the RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG is the 45-day candidacy training for 267 personnel of the Community Defense Unit.

Capt. Cenon Pancito III, Public Affairs Office chief of the Army’s 3 rd Infantry Division, disclosed on Monday that former RPA-ABB combatants will undergo basic military training, similar to that of Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), and will be issued with government-owned firearms, to defend their respective communities, under the supervision of the Philippine Army.

OPAPP also said that the demilitarization of RPA-ABB combatants came in the wake of the successful launching of the decommissioning of the 1,060 Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters and 920 weapons on Sept. 7 in Mindanao, which was attended by President Rodrigo Duterte.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/September/10/topstory6.htm

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