BANGUED, Abra—The new chairman of the Cordillera Peoples’ Liberation Army vowed to work with the former leaders of the armed group to strengthen the grant of autonomy to the Cordillera region.
Vice Gov. Ronald Balaw-as said he will consult with the former and present leaders of the CPLA regarding the internal re-organization of the group.
The available positions will be filled up by deserving leaders from the unified factions and for them to start working for the rejuvenation of the organization, Balaw-as added.
“We want to involve as many of the unified CPLA groups to put in place the right persons in sensitive positions to strengthen the organization and make it a strong lobby group for regional autonomy among other priority concerns for the Cordillera with the national government,” Balaw-as stressed.
He revealed once the group’s reorganization will be completed, they will start reaching out to the national government, particularly the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
OPAPP will help in the reiteration of the unfulfilled commitments of the government as contained in the group’s 26-point demand during its negotiations with the government panel, resulting in the signing of the historic 1986 Mount Data peace agreement.
Balaw-as said three of his grandfathers were part of the Mount Data peace negotiation, and the reason why the present and future generations must recognize and value the sacrifices of the people who fought for the region’s self-governance.
The new chairman expressed his gratitude to the officials of the Cordillera Bodong Administration (CBA) for initiating the smooth unification process among the various factions, instrumental in getting the attention of the national government for the region to have a stronger bargaining point in the region.
Under the consensus of the leaders of the various CPLA factions, former Bucloc Mayor Mailed Molina will serve as the chairman emeritus, Balaw-as the chairman, Juanita Chulsi of Kalinga as vice chairperson, and Bagumbayan Barangay Chairman Andrew Cos-agon as the chief of staff.
Balaw-as disclosed that 7,000 CPLA members spread over the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province and Kalinga are eagerly awaiting the developments in the leadership and expressed support to his leadership.
CPLA will ensure consultative and inclusive involvement to prevent repetitive internal conflicts of the group, to avoid a tainted image and focus on the establishment of an autonomous regional government, Balaw-as said.