Government pursuing peace with rebel group - Razon

MANILA, Philippines - The government is pursuing peace with the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Bongcayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), a breakaway group of the New People’s Army, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino Razon Jr. said yesterday.

Razon said development projects have been carried out in various municipalities in the Visayas as part of the government’s commitment to implement provisions of the peace agreement forged with the RPMP-RPA-ABB in 2000.  

He said the Kalayaan Barangays Program (KBP) was launched recently in Central Visayas and is expected to complete 23 infrastructure projects in 11 barangays in the Negros Oriental towns of Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Sibulan, Pamplona and Zamboanguita.

Razon said the “Halad sa Katawhan” (or offering to the people) was also conducted in Sta. Catalina town, including basic medical and dental services, and assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Health.

He said the infrastructure projects, funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iloilo, included the construction of a classroom in Barangay Jawod, San Joaquin town and a day-care center in Barangay Casilayan, Tignauan.

“A water system project was also implemented in Barangay Tambad in Cauayan, Negros Occidental which is near completion. Preliminary activities for the UNDP-supported sustainable agriculture project in Sta. Catalina are also underway,” Razon said.

In addition to these development projects, he said the cessation of hostilities in RPMP-RPA-ABB areas “is holding.”

“Efforts to strengthen the local mechanisms of the Joint Enforcement Monitoring Committee, particularly the Local Technical Working Group on the Cessation of Hostilities, are continuously being undertaken,” he said.