48 CPLA rebels integrated into the AFP

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Army has integrated into its rank 48 Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) members.

 “Recognizing the importance of pushing the peace process forward, the Philippine Army has allocated 48 slots for the candidate soldier course in accordance with Administrative Order 18, to be taken from the quota of the 5th ID for calendar year 2013,” Army chief Lt. Gen Emmanuel Bautista said in an interview at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City yesterday.

Bautista was supposed to personally welcome the CPLA members at the headquarters of the 5th Infantry Division in Gamu town but the Fokker plane that he was riding failed to land due to bad weather and poor visibility over Cawayan airport.

Like the integration program for the Moro National Liberation Front, the 48 CPLA members will undergo a  six-month military training starting Dec. 29.

“This action will immediately address the concerns on the integration quota which is part of the peace process. The training of integrees will be held at the 5th ID,” Bautista said.

 Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said the CPLA rebels have surrendered their firearms to show their commitment to peace and development in the Cordilleras.

Cabunoc said another batch of 168 CPLA rebels are also undergoing processing for integration.