Wednesday, August 29, 2007 Province admits RPA-ABB controls 30 barangays in NegOr By Edmund B. Sestoso
THE Provincial Government reluctantly admitted that the breakaway group Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Bongcayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) controls 30 barangays in Negros Oriental.
Capitol staff Adrian Sedillo said this is one of the reasons why Governor Emilio Macias II now eyes the reconvening and strengthening of the Local Monitoring Team.
The Local Monitoring Team is principally tasked to oversee the implementation of the peace process in Negros Oriental between the government and the rebel group.
The governor's move came several days after members of the Joint Enforcement Monitoring Committee (JEMC) paid a courtesy call on his office and gave him updates on the ongoing peace negotiation.
The Local Monitoring Team is composed of four members representing the government, academe, civil society, and the religious sector.
The members are Dr. Henry A. Sojor, president of the government-owned Negros Oriental State University for the academe, former Provincial Board Member Art Umbac for the government, United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Pastor Samuel Bacarro for the religious sector, and Fr. Francis Duran for civil society.
Latest developments on the change of status of personalities have led the team to a "standby mode" for several months.
Fr. Duran was hired as the public information officer by Tanjay City while Umbac lost his mayoralty bid in Dumaguete City over now elected Mayor Agustin Perdices.
Governor Macias however said Capitol intends to retain the services of Fr. Duran and Umbac.
Capitol records showed that the bulk of barangays that the RPA-ABB claims as among its "territories" are in Negros Occidental.
It was found out that 120 barangays in Negros Island and 30 in Negros Oriental are covered under the peace agreement.
The Capitol however has not named the 30 barangays that are being controlled by the rebel group.
Governor Macias also said he wants to strengthen the Local Monitoring Team's functions because he wants to have a full grasp of the ongoing peace negotiations.
He said the so-called 30 RPA-ABB controlled-barangays are placed under the supervision of the JEMC and that these need government's intervention.
Macias said this is where he is most interested in since he wants to know what kind of intervention the people need in these areas.
