The Balik-Loob Organization of Mountain Province (BLOMP), an organization of former rebels in the Cordillera, is is rejecting any further peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army, and the National Democratic Front.
Based on previous peace negotiations, the BLOMP has witnessed the insincerity of these organizations when they repeatedly violated the ceasefire and even took advantage of it to continue their tactical offensives.
BLOMP considers the CPP-NPA-NDF a “paper tiger” and believes that another round of negotiations with them would only serve their desperate tactics as their influence and ranks are currently dwindling.
Continuing the peace talks will only give them an opportunity to take power and keep causing terror.
These organizations also violated the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
As stated in the CARHRIHL, both sides are supposed to carry out what has been agreed upon; however, many of their members do not return their members’ remains to the family, and what is happening now is that the military are the ones doing it – making way to return the remains for proper burial.
BLOMP can also attest that previous rebel-influenced villages in the country have achieved lasting peace and development as a result of the whole-of-nation approach addressing the root causes of the conflict.
BLOMP is actively collaborating with the government to ensure peace in the region and help address remaining challenges that may impede progress towards lasting peace in the Cordillera. — JAMES BIAG, president, Balik-Loob Organization of Mountain Province
May 8, 2024