IN A landmark step for the national peace process, a nationwide federation of former rebel groups was officially launched during the 2nd National Peace Advocates Summit and 1st Former Rebels Organization National Congress, held from April 26 to 28 at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
Named Buklod Kapayapaan, the new alliance brings together 47 leaders representing regional federations of former rebels from all 17 regions of the country. It is the first organization of its kind in the Philippines, uniting grassroots groups of former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) who have chosen to reintegrate into society and actively support peacebuilding and development.
The federation is the result of months-long organizing efforts that began after the first National Peace Advocates Summit in September 2024. That event laid the groundwork for a national coordinating body, which has since led to the formation of regional chapters nationwide.
Buklod Kapayapaan positions itself as a unified national voice for former rebels committed to democratic participation, social reintegration, and peace advocacy. The group promotes shared values rooted in peace, social justice, human rights, and environmental protection, seeking to transform former combatants into community peacebuilders and agents of inclusive progress.
During the three-day summit, delegates elected national officers and ratified the organization’s Declaration of Principles. A major milestone was the adoption of a three-year strategic plan, which includes expanding the federation’s presence to the barangay level, offering skills training and peace education, promoting economic self-sufficiency, and providing legal aid for unresolved cases. The group also pledged support for the government’s ongoing amnesty program.
Newly elected national president Noel Legaspi hailed the launch as a turning point. “This is more than just organizational unification—it marks the rise of a national peace movement made up of individuals who once took up arms but are now committed to rebuilding the communities they once left behind,” he said.
While challenges remain—such as building organizational capacity, securing sustainable funding, and attaining formal institutional recognition—the creation of Buklod Kapayapaan is a vital step in advancing grassroots peace and reconciliation across the country.
The federation’s launch reflects a renewed commitment to national healing, offering former rebels a platform to meaningfully contribute to the pursuit of a just and lasting peace. DEF