The Secretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Jesus G. Dureza, received the proposal of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) for the reactivation of CAR bodies created by virtue of Executive No. 220.
Dureza was surprised upon learning from the CAR contingent led by CPLA Chairman Mailed Molina, former CEB Director Jude G. Wal and convenor of the Cordillera Task Force Conrado T. Dieza that a model for a federal state existed in the Cordillera but was deactivated by the past administration.
“Advance talaga ang Cordillera at eto ay shortcut sa federalism while the autonomy bill is still pending in congress,” Dureza said.
Dureza said he will find a way to make this proposal reach the President for his information and appropriate action.
Dieza said that multi-sectoral grassroots-based groups have endorsed the proposal of the CPLA including religious sectors, youth/students and young professionals, tribal elders and women’s groups.
Molina also asked every Cordilleran to appreciate the essence behind the 1986 Mount Data Peace Accord where they negotiated peace with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the spirit behind it which is the establishment of a Cordillera Federal State.
“Regional autonomy is only a compromise because the system of government that time does not allow a separate federal state but now that we have a President who is very passionate on a federal government, let us give our trust and support,” Molina said.
Wal presented through power point a comparison of the proposed Autonomy Bill and Executive Order No. 220.
“The structures under Executive EO No. 220 truly manifest a model for a federal state which can be copied by other regions,” according to Senate President Koko Pimentel who appreciated the presentation at the Senate last December 6, 2017.
Meanwhile, Ka Dro, unified CPLA chief of staff, challenged and requested government law enforcement agencies to arrest any person or groups using the name CPLA specially in Baguio City as these people or groups are not members of the CPLA. These people should answer for whatever crimes they committed. The CPLA does not and will not allow its name to be used for criminal activities. He added, “the CPLA condemns in the strongest terms using the name of our organization for whatever criminal and personal interest and we ask concerned government agencies to arrest these people and put them behind bars.” Finally, he said, that the CPLA members are not squatters or holduppers.**
