GRADUATES. Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. congratulates KAPATIRAN members who completed a 45-day Community Defense Unit (CDU) training in Camp General Macario Peralty, Jr. in Jamindan, Capiz on Nov. 5, 2019. A total of 266 members of the KAPATIRAN, a rejectionist group of the Communist Party of Philippines and New People's Army (CPP-NPA), finished the training. (Photo courtesy of OPAPP)
CAMP GENERAL MACARIO PERALTA, JR., JAMINDAN, Capiz -- Local peace engagements under the Duterte administration’s whole-of-nation approach are gaining traction as revolutionary organizations are giving up armed struggle and returning to the folds of the law.
This, as 266 members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army/ Alex Boncayao Brigade- Tabara Paduano Group (RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG), a rejectionist group of the Communist Party of Philippines and New People's Army (CPP-NPA), completed their 45-day Community Defense Unit (CDU) training in preparation for their deployment to their respective communities in Negros and Panay Islands.
During the graduation rites of the CDU Class 01-2019 at the headquarters of the 3rd Infantry Spearhead Division of the Philippine Army here on Tuesday (Nov. 5), Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez, Jr., called on the communist insurgents to follow the example of the RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG now known as KAPATIRAN.
“Sa mga kapatid natin na nandodoon pa rin sa bundok, itong KAPATIRAN na dati ninyong kasamahan ay isang ehemplo ng very successful local peace engagements. Ito po ay magandang katunayan na ang kasunduan ng KAPATIRAN at ng ating gobyerno ay nagkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan(To our brothers who are still up in the mountains, the KAPATIRAN, which are your former comrades, is an example of very successful local peace engagements. This is proof that the agreement between the KAPATIRAN and the government yielded positive results),” he said.
Galvez challenged the graduates to embody the lessons they have learned during their training.
“Gamitin ninyo ang inyong mga natutunan sa loob ng apatnapu’t limang araw, lalung-lalo na po ang disiplina. Ang disiplina ang isa sa mga pinakamahalagang aspeto ng pagiging isang sundalo. Kapag wala pong disiplina, hindi tayo magtatagumpay sa ating mga adhikain.(Utilize what you have learned in those 45 days, especially discipline. Discipline is one of the most vital aspects of being a soldier. Without it, we would not succeed in our aspirations),” Galvez said.
Meanwhile, Veronica "Ka Inca" Tabara, co-chair of the Joint Enforcement and Monitoring Committee for KAPATIRAN, lauded the graduates for the hard work and perseverance they demonstrated during the training.
“Kayo po ay inspirasyon ng liderato ng KAPATIRAN para higit pang pagbutihin ang kanyang tungkulin na ayusin ang kabuhayan ng lahat ng kasapian, para tuluy-tuloy na tumulong sa pag-unlad ng bansa at ng mamamayan(You are the inspiration of the KAPATIRAN leadership to keep fulfilling its duty to improve the lives of all its members, so that we can continuously help in uplifting the country and its people.),” Tabara said.
Veronica is the widow of RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG leader Arturo Tabara who was brutally killed by the communist group in 2004.
“Nabanggit na natin na hindi naging madali ang tinahak nating landas para sa kapayapaan, at hindi nagtatapos sa ating pagbuo ng community defense unit, na ngayon ay nagtatapos sa inyong graduation(We already mentioned that our journey towards the path of peace has not been easy, and such will not end with the creation of the community defense unit, which concludes today with your graduation.),” Tabara said.
A promise fulfilled
With the graduation of the CDU trainees, the Philippine government and KAPATIRAN have accomplished one of the five components of the Clarificatory Implementing Document (CID), the annex to the peace agreement signed by the parties in 2000.
Malacañang had earlier approved PHP560 million in funds for the implementation of the CID.
Under the disposition of arms, forces, and security arrangements, KAPATIRAN members turned over 300 short and long firearms as well as explosives.
A total of 727 profiled KAPATIRAN members also underwent the process of decommissioning in September, which was witnessed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
It was during the decommissioning when the 45-day candidacy training for the CDU was formally launched.
The four remaining components of the CID include: social and economic reintegration of KAPATIRAN members; full transformation of KAPATIRAN into a civilian organization engaging in socio-economic and political activities; community peace and dividends, and; pardon and release of remaining alleged political offenders.
From the PHP560 million budget earmarked for the group, PHP138 million was allocated for immediate cash grants (PHP25,000 per profiled KAPATIRAN member), livelihood sustainable grants (PHP50,000 per profiled KAPATIRAN member), and various housing and development projects.
Under the plan, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) will partner with concerned government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skill Development Authority, and Commission on Higher Education to implement the initiatives.
Galvez said it is the aim of the Duterte administration to provide holistic interventions for the returnees to ensure their successful transition to civilian life. The programs are meant to benefit their immediate family members and relatives.
Brothers-in-arms
Major General Dinoh A. Dolina, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, welcomed the CDU graduates to the Armed Forces, as he recognized the historic partnership forged between the national government and the KAPATIRAN.
“Ngayon ay ganap na kayong kasapi ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas. Bilang kapatid namin sa serbisyo, ang inyong laban ay aming laban. Ang inyong kaaway, ay aming kaaway. Sa araw na ito, ganap nating pinagtitibay ang ating pagkakaisa para sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran ng ating inang bayan (Now you are formally part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. As our brothers in service, your fight shall be our fight. Your enemies are now our enemies. On this day, we hereby formalize our unity for peace and development of our Motherland.),” Dolina said.
Galvez echoed Dolina’s message for the graduates.
“Ang pagiging miyembro ng CDU ay magbibigay sa inyo ng kakayahan at kapanatagan ng loob dahil ngayon ay katuwang na kayo ng pamahalaan sa pagbabantay sa inyong mga lugar laban sa mga puwersang gustong maghasik ng kaguluhan(Being a member of the CDU shall capacitate you and reward you with peace of mind, because now you are one with the government in securing your communities against troublemakers.),” he said.
Recalling the instructions of Duterte, Galvez said no one should be left behind in the peace process.
"We are assuring you that the Duterte administration will not leave you behind," he said.
Also present during the event were Brig. Gen. Eric Vinoya, incoming commanding officer, 3rd Infantry Spearhead Division, Philippine Army; Brig. Gen. Cesar de Mesa, chief, AFP Peace and Development Office; Col. Denis M. Tanzo, commandant, 3rd Division Training School, Philippine Army; Atty. Wilben Mayor, chief-of-staff and spokesperson, OPAPP; Susana Guadalupe Marcaida, director, Peace Accords Management Unit, OPAPP; Milo Ibrado, Rommel Farrol, and Pastor Noel Villalba, JEMC members; Police Major Deo Gene Bonggawen of the Philippine National Police Peace Process Development Center; Schedar Rose M. Novilla of the Department of Social Welfare and Development; and KAPATIRAN area leaders.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1085277
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