Peace accord signed

A clarififcatory document to the GRP-RPM-P/RPA/ABB Peace Agreement was signed between the government and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB) Feb. 26 at the Sulo Hotel, Quezon City.

Signing for the government was National Security Adviser Roilo Golez, while Nilo de la Cruz represented the RPM-P/RPA/ABB panel. Among those present to witness the signing were Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, as well as representatives from the DILG, DWSD, DND and the PNP.

The event took place a day after Secretary Ermita convened a meeting between government representatives and RPM-P/RPA/ABB leaders. Representatives of Negros peace advocates were invited. During the meeting, civil society representatives from Negros Occidental were given firsthand opportunity to express their concerns to the RPM-P/RPA/ABB about the Peace Agreement signed on Dec. 6, 2000 under the previous administration.

The clarification document aims to clarify the major contentious provisions of the agreement, especially those raised by the Church and civil society groups in Negro Occidental during the Negros Peace Congress (NPC) held on Dec. 12, 2001.