Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 8) — Another armed group is laying down arms in line with government peace efforts.
A statement from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said the disposition of firearms of the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletariat Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade-Tabara Paduano-Group (RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG or KAPTIRAN) is part of the agreements included in the Clarificatory Implementing Document (CID), signed by the group and the Philippine Government on July 19, 2019 towards the completion of the commitments in the 2000 peace agreement.
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said the decommissioning was 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.”
The OPAPP statement added that around 300 firearms and several explosives were being inventoried by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
The CID, which serves as the final and absolute settlement of the 2000 peace deal, has five components:
– Disposition of Arms and Forces (DAF) and Security Arrangements
– Social and Economic Reintegration of the RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG/KAPATIRAN
– Release of the remaining Alleged Political Offenders
– Transformation of the RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG into a civilian organization engaging in socio-economic and political activities
– Community Peace Dividends
This comes after hundreds of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters turned over their weapons on Saturday in preparation for transition to civilian lives.
