Col. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, yesterday assured that firearms owned by the breakaway rebel group, the Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade, will not be used for personal motives while the peace negotiations with the Philippine government are ongoing.

Patrimonio admitted, though, that until the firearms are turned over to the government once the closure agreement is reached, it will be difficult to monitor the weapons that are still in the possession of the RPA-ABB.

The firearms have been inventoried by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process as a prelude to the closure agreement that is expected this month or in October, Patrimonio said.

He said the RPA-ABB will surrender the firearms to the government, that, in turn, will provide them with assistance, like resettlement site, housing and livelihood support. No cash will be given, although the military will provide the RPA-ABB members with government-issued guns to protect themselves from the New People's Army, Patrimonio said.

The firearms are to be carried only by duly-trained RPA-ABB members when on duty inside their resettlement area, or when assigned to secure the production base. When off duty, the guns are to be returned to their designated handlers to the military, he added.

Patrimonio said the RPA-ABB has been advised that they are not allowed to carry their firearms outside of their informal resettlement site in Sitio Candanque, Barangay Azagra, Tanjay City. He could not tell, however, how many RPA-ABB men are carrying firearms until now.*JFP

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