THE Benguet Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) expressed opposition of the recruitment activity of certain individuals using the name of the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) in the province.
“We adversely do not allow this. In the first place, there was no CPLA in the province of Benguet,” Governor Crescencio Pacalso said during the PPOC meeting last Thursday, May 31.
In 2014, PPOC passed a resolution declaring Benguet as CPLA free and any acts of the CPLA are not welcomed in the province.
The PPOC underscored the alleged CPAL members are using the names of mayors in recruiting new members.
Kalinga province, through its PPOC has also condemned any fraudulent acts by the group thru a resolution.
“We condemn, in its strongest terms, the fraudulent and dastardly act of certain individuals/group of individuals in exploiting the weaknesses or ignorance of some residents of the this province using the name of the CPLA to further their personal interest or gain and further requesting all local government units and other government entities in the province of Kalinga not to allow or issue permit to the same group to use any government properties or facilities,” said the resolution.
Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Processes during a visit in Abra last March emphasized the government’s moves for their re-integration though a program on peace and development in the case of CPLA.
Dureza added they plan to give them livelihood particularly in the field of farming for them to sustain themselves while for those wanting to bear arms be in the field of security like security guards but not as members of the armed forces.
The governor expressed they seek for Office of the Presidential adviser on the peace process on the status of CPLA and at the same time invite the Secretary in the next PPOC meeting. (Lauren Alimondo)