Holiday in CAR tomorrow for peace pact anniversary

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — It’s a special non-working holiday tomorrow in the Cordilleras in observance of the 37th anniversary of the Mount Data Peace Accord.

Malacañang issued Proclamation 324 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin declaring Sept. 13 a special non-working holiday in the Cordilleras.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the Cordilleras be given an opportunity to participate in the occasion,” the proclamation read.

Peace adviser Carlito Galvez and Apayao Gov. Elias Bulut Jr., chief of he regional development council, as well as local leaders and officials will lead the ceremony in Mountain Province.

The Mount Data Peace Accord or Sipat was signed on Sept. 13, 1986 after the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA), led by rebel priest-turned-government militia leader Conrado Balweg, met with then president Corazon Aquino at the Mount Data Hotel in Bauko, Mountain Province.

Before meeting Aquino, Balweg and a few followers severed ties with the New People’s Army due to ideological differences.

Balweg formed the CPLA, which helped the government battle communist insurgency in the region.

The Sipat was the first peace agreement entered into by the Aquino administration.

Officials of the CPLA and the Cordillera Bodong Administration turned over to Aquino a spear and a shield.

Aquino gave them a Bible, rosary and a rifle to signify cessation of hostilities.