December 10, 2000, ABS-CBN, Peace pact signed with rebel group,

December 10, 2000, ABS-CBN, Peace pact signed with rebel group,

Bacolod, (ABS-CBN)—President Estrada expressed hopes a peace agreement with the Rebolusyonaryong ng Partidong Manggagawa Pilipinas Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade will help pave the way for the cessation of armed conflict with rebel groups.

"With the cessation of armed hostilities the peace agreement will bring about, we can now explore a more lasting cooperation with each other to address the root causes of armed conflict and achieve progress and development under a climate of peace,"

"Napapanahon nang matapos ang kaguluhan dulot ng rebelyon sa ating bansa upang masimulan na natin ang pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan tungo sa kaunlaran(It is time to finish the conflict caused by rebellion to start helping each other work towards peace)," he said.

President Estrada called on other communist groups to take their cue from Sunday's event and work with the government to address the root causes of poverty.

Mr. Estrada pointed out that this formula is showing encouraging results in Mindanao, where progress is gaining momentum after the recent conflict had ended.

"Wala nang dahilan upang kayo ay magrebelyon sapagka't ang lahat na ginagawa ng aking administrasyon ay para sa kapakanan ng mga mahihirap (There is no more reason for you to rise up in arms against the government. My administration is doing everything for the poor)," he said.

The President witnessed the signing of the peace agreement Sunday morning during his visit to Salvador Benedicto town.

Signing the agreement were Secretary Edgardo Angara of the Department of Agriculture and RPMP-RPA-ABB panel head Nilo dela Cruz for the rebels.

Angara and former Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. helped broker the peace pact. Angara and Cojuangco also head two component parties of the administration coalition, Lapian ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP).

Also, the President issued to the local cooperative a check from the DA for P45 billion.

He said the amount would be for the purchase of 30 tractors that will be used by some 3,000 corn, cassava and sugar planters.

"The project is intended to help push the economic development of your town and at the same time assist rebel returnees in rejoining the mainstream of our society," he said.

Citing information from Angara, the President said this project covers about 10,000 in Salvador Benedicto and neighboring municipalities and cities.

"By the year 2003 the project will produce 200 million kilos of cassava tubers and 24 million kilos of yellow corn," the President said.

Aside from this, he said, Cojuangco's San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has agreed to buy the corn and cassava harvested from this project, thus assuring the farmers of a buyer.

It would also give them technical support to ensure they take good care of their crops, he said.

"Dito nagpapatunay na ang pribadong sektor at pamahalaan ay nagkakatulungan (This shows how much we can achieve if the government and private sector work together)," the President said.

All these, he added, should help promote national unity and prepare the country to face the challenges of globalization.

On their part, RPA national commander Kaparali Lualhati, dela Cruz, and RPA chairman Arturo Tabara said they will implement a ceasefire with government.

They also said their troops will remain in the countryside, even as the negotiations will be a source of pride because they took place in the province.

After the signing, the President proceeded to the St. Jude Thaddeus Shrine to attend Mass for Enlightenment, Reconciliation and Peace, before returning to Manila.