The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity disclosed on Tuesday that the peace settlement between the government and the former militant group Cordillera People’s Liberation Army symbolizes the sincerity of both parties to attaining just and lasting peace in the country.

OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. made the statement in time for the 36th year anniversary of the forged Mt. Data Peace Accord between the government and CPLA on 13 September, as he paid tribute to the late CPLA community leaders and former combatants who died in the course of the “Cordilleran cause and pursuit to autonomy.”

Galvez described these individuals as the “heroes of the Cordillera for championing the Cordilleran journey towards a peaceful and progressive autonomy.”

“They deserve every accolade because of their selfless dedication to the good of the Cordilleran people, which is worth emulating,” Galvez said.

As part of the National Peace Consciousness month, the OPAPRU initiated an event commemorating the anniversary of the peace pact.

To recall, the CPLA split from the New People’s Army in April 1986 and agreed to engage in peace negotiations with the government during the administration of former President Cory Aquino.

Following the signed peace deal, both parties agreed to end armed hostilities and pursue an autonomous region for the Cordillera.

The peace settlement was formalized through a traditional peace pact called “sipat” by the Kalinga people, with the presence of “allasiw” (peace tokens) as symbols of sincerity and commitment between both parties.