Gov't to release P100M to RPA-ABB
The government will release around P100 million to the breakaway rebel group Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) for development projects in villages in Western Visayas.
The funds coming from the Department of Defense will fund projects in 36 villages on Panay Island and Negros Occidental, Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas Raul Banias said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.
Banias said the funds under the 2008 budget is part of the government's commitment to the RPA-ABB in its peace pact with the breakaway rebel group.
The RPA-ABB broke away from the mainstream Communist Party of the Philippine-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) over ideological differences shortly after 1992 when the CPP launched its “rectification movement’ to correct major political errors that the CPP claimed caused major setbacks.
In Dec. 26, 2000, the RPA-ABB entered into a peace agreement and a cessation of hostilities with the government shortly before the ouster of President Joseph Estrada.
Last year, the breakaway group was further splintered into two factions, one led by Nilo de la Cruz and the other by Negros Occidental-based Stephen Paduano, alias Carapali Lualhati, RPA-ABB national commander and Veronica Tabara, secretary general of its political wing, Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas (RPM-P)
The agreement, however, has come under fire from non-government organization and religious groups especially in Negros Occidental that consider the pact disadvantageous to the people especially the provision permitting the carrying of firearms.
Under the peace agreement with the government signed on December 2000, 100 leaders and members of the RPA-ABB are allowed to carry short firearms in designated areas.
Banias said the funds will be spent for infrastructure projects mostly to farm-to-market roads, classrooms, repair of access roads and construction of water system.
The 36 barangays (22 in Panay and 14 in Negros Occidental) which were identified by the RPA-ABB and validated by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and Banias' office will each receive P1.4 million in development projects.
In Aklan, the recipients include Barangays Aparicio, Rivera and Cabugao in Ibajay town and Barangays Tigpalas and San Ramon in Malinao town. The villages of San Vicente, San Luis and Osorio in Culasi town in Antique have also been identified as among the beneficiaries
In Iloilo, the barangays to be given P1.4 million in projects include Linayuan and Cabayogan in Badiangan town; Abangay in Janiuay town; Magbato in Lambunao town; Salingan, Lanag and Isian Norte in Leon town; Sta. Ana, Jawod, Camia, Camarascas in San Joaquin town; and Cansilayan and Danao in Tigbauan town.
In Negros Occidental, the beneficiaries include Barangays Padayawan in Candoni town; Abaca in Cauayan tow; Locotan and Magballo in Kabankalan City; Cabatangan, Katilingban and San Fernando in Talisay City; Canlusong and San Isidro in E.B. Magalona town; Balicotoc and Tabu in Ilog town; Bago in Don Salvador town and Kapitan Ramos in Silay City.
Banias said more development projects will be alloted to RPA-ABB areas this year.