Cordillera People’s Liberation Army

Cordillera People's Liberation Army
Leader(s) Conrado Balweg (Founder)
Abrenian Melchor Balance (Officer-in-Charge)[1]
Dates of operation 1986 – 2011
Motives Cordillera autonomy, indigenous rights
Active region(s) Philippines
Status Inactive
Size About 1,000 (2013)

The Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA) was a militant organization based in the Cordillera region in the Philippines founded by Conrado Balweg. In 1986, The CPLA broke away from the communist New People's Army (NPA), criticizing the latter for its incompetence in pursuing its goals.

The formation of the CPLA also saw the merger of the Tingguian Liberation Force, a splinter group from NPA Abra to form the Cordillera organization.[1] Their goal was to fight for the self-determination of the people of Cordillera.[2]

In September 13, 1986, the CPLA and the Government of the Philippines made a "sipat" (ceasefire) at Mt. Data Hotel, in Bauko, Mountain Province. The agreement between the two entities was called the 1986 Mount Data Peace Accord.[3][4]

In 1999, the organization's founder, Conrado Balweg was assassinated by the NPA.[2]

A closure agreement between the CPLA and the Government of the Philippines was signed on July 4, 2011, at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace. The agreement called for the disarmament of the group, the reintegration of the militants into mainstream society and the conversion of the militant group into a socio-economic organization.[5]

While the group has stopped armed confrontation, the CPLA remain extant as of 2013, and still campaigning for greater autonomy in the Cordilleras with about 1,000 members.[1] Their main rival is the Cordillera People's Alliance, the a National Democratic organization based in Cordillera.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Dumlao, Artemio (31 January 2013). "Rebels still dream of Cordillera's autonomy". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Former Cordillera Rebel Factions Reunited". Cordillera.gov.ph. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
  3. ↑ Virgilio M Gaje (2012-02-01). "[PIA News] CPLA commemorates Mount Data peace accord". Archives.pia.gov.ph. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
  4. ↑ "Historical Background of Cordillera's Pursuit for Regional Development and Autonomy". Cordillera.gov.ph. 1991-03-01. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
  5. ↑ Sinapit, Jaime (2011-07-04). "CPLA disarms for good, inks final pact with Aquino administration". InterAksyon.com. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
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