Peace agreement with Negros rebel group soon

By Easter Anne D. Doza

Friday 13th of July 2012

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, July 13 (PIA) -- The peace agreement between the government, initiated by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa-Pilipinas (RPM-P)/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA)-Tabuara-Paduano Group (TPG) is nearing its closure.

OPAPP Undersecretary Luisito G. Montalbo disclosed this during the regular meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) at Nature’s Village Resort and Hotel in Talisay City where a resolution was approved by the members of the PPOC supporting the closure program of OPAPP with RPM-P/RPA-TPG and the proper disposition of inventoried firearms and explosives.

Montalbo assured that the draft of the agreement is already completed and they just need it to be formally endorsed by the national agencies to the President for his final approval to go ahead with the signing then proceed with the implementation.

“We are working hard so that the closure agreement with the group will be signed by late July or early August,” Montalbo said.

This agreement aims for the disposition of arms and forces and mainstreaming of RPM-P/RPA-TPG members into society, transform the group into a legitimate socio-political organization and provide development support to TPG-identified areas.

Under the agreement, OPAPP proposes to make the cities of Cadiz, Kabankalan and San Carlos as settlement sites.

Negros Occidental will have P148.10-million budget for livelihood projects and development of settlement sites among others for allocation.

Meanwhile, the provincial government is also allocating P2 million for its counterpart to help members live anew after the agreement is signed.

Montalbo also commended the provincial government and the Philippine Army for adopting a provincial framework for peace and development to address the peace and order situation in the province which shows strong support to the initiatives of OPAPP and the national government. (JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)