Mt. Data peace accord marks 25th year

Bauko, Mt. Province, Sept. 13– Today, the elders and leaders of the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) and government officials in the northern region will gather to honor the 25th anniversary of the Mt. Data Peace Accord, the very first peace agreement signed in the history of the country’s peace process. 

Twenty-five years to this date, in 1986, the CPLA led by Fr. Conrado Balweg heeded the call of peace by the late President Corazon C. Aquino through the signing of a ceasefire agreement at the Mt. Data Hotel in this town, which it became known as the Mt. Data Peace Accord.

This year, both parties will recollect the historic event through a Conference of Tribal Leaders (Amung Di Cordillera) and an open forum to be held at the venue of the signing.

Updates regarding the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the CBA-CPLA and the Government of the Philippines (GPH) last July 4 will be presented to the elders. The MOA signified the transformation of the rebel group from an armed force to a socio-economic organization.

Further, an exhibit showcasing photos of the peace agreement signing and the Cordilleran life will also be held.

On Wednesday, the participants will head to the town of Sagada, one of the earliest peace zones in the country, where they will engage community members to a dialogue.

The CPLA and its political wing CBA, split from the New People’s Army in 1986.