Rebels, government finalize peace pact

THE Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC)-Western Visayas has declared a closure on the peace agreement between the government and a Regional Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) faction.

This RPA-ABB faction of the revolutionary army is headed by Stephen Paduano alias “Lualhati Carapale.”

In an RPOC meeting last Tuesday, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who heads the council, said it is about time for the revolutionary forces to join the mainstream society and lead a life of peace in the region by laying down their armed struggle and for the government to give livelihood assistance to the cadres.

The final signing of the peace agreement will be done in Manila with President Benigno Aquino III, Mabilog said.

The Carapale faction is reportedly willing to cooperate with the government but not the other Nilo de la Cruz faction, which is still struggling with armed revolution.

The RPA-ABB is an offspring of the main New People’s Army (NPA) of the Communist Party that eventually split into two factions with a central based in Negros Island.

The Carapale faction is also based in Negros Occidental with followers in the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz. (Lydia C. Pendon)