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Bacolod City, Philippines Monday, October 29, 2012
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‘Cases vs. RPA men
won’t stall peace pact’

BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The filing of cases against any member of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade who violates laws, as well as those facing complaints before the Department of Justice for the death of Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles, will not affect the signing of the closure agreement with the government, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo said yesterday.

Montalbo, however, said that those who are involved in illegal activities should be arrested and charged in court, stressing that they will be given due process.

Six members of the RPA-ABB are among the respondents in the killing of Arles in the complaint filed before the DOJ.

Montalbo, who has been shuttling between Negros and Manila to follow up the closure agreement, said it cannot be used as a shield by those who are accused or convicted of criminal activities.

The RPA-ABB leadership has denied involvement of their members in the assassination of Arles on April 24 in Ilog, Negros Occidental.

“We will let the rule of law take its course, regardless of whether RPA members are involved or not, that is independent from the peace process,” Montalbo said.

The closure peace agreement aims to transform the RPA-ABB into a civilian, political, economic organization; and to mainstream its members into their communities, provide them with livelihood and employment, and move them towards disarmament and the dismantling of their military structure.

OPPAP records show that, of the 716 profiled RPA-ABB members, 607 are in Negros Occidental, 58 in Negros Oriental, and the rest are scattered in Panay and some areas of Mindanao and Luzon.

Montalbo said there is a strong clamor for a proper closure to the operations of the rebel group, based on his consultations with political leaders and civil society groups.

“The people want this chapter closed. The regional, provincial, municipal and down to the barangay councils – they all have spoken. The clamor from the ground has been very palpable,” he said.

Montalbo reiterated that RPA-ABB members are not allowed to display high-powered firearms, except those issued with special gun permits.

As stipulated in the closure agreement, the firearms will be turned over to the government within the prescribed time.

Anyone who continues to carry or display one without a license becomes an enforcement question, the police and Armed Forces of the Philippines are expected to enforce the law, Montalbo said.*GPB

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