Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army faction elects new chairman

MAILED Molina was declared as Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) chairman anew during the Cordillera Regional Assembly on Friday.

While Molina was elected as chairman of CPLA, Rafael Wasan was also elected as head of the Cordillera Bodong Administration in an election held at the CRA Bibak building in Baguio, where over 100 members and zone commanders were present.

In a different CPLA meeting held in Tabuk City, meanwhile, Miguel Sugguiyao was declared as chairman with Andres Ngao-I, further splitting the CPLA into three.

CRA chairman Jack Dulnuan presided the CPLA meeting. Molina was absent during the elections but was declared chairman in absencia.

CPLA zone commander Melchor Balanse said the new CPLA leadership under Molina is not clashing with the leadership of government recognized CPLA chairman Arsenio Humiding.

Balanse said the leadership of Molina is focused on the attainment of autonomy in the Cordillera region.

In a separate interview, Humiding said the declarations of the groups will further muddle the CLPA, adding that he is not surprised with the turn of events.

Humiding also called for a command conference at Conner, Apayao on Friday to commemorate a cease fire agreement in Mt. Data years ago.