BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – A total of 168 former rebels turned militiamen of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) became full-fledged members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) following yesterday’s integration ceremony in Gamu, Isabela.
The integration process completed the armed component of the 2011 agreement signed between the government and the Cordillera Bodong Administration-CPLA, according to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
The ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division at Camp Melchor F. dela Cruz in Barangay Upi.
The 168 new soldiers will be added to the more than 264 others integrated a decade ago to the AFP.
OPAPP Undersecretary Maria Cleofe Gettie Sandoval said integration was in compliance with the directive of President Aquino to close the peace table.