The Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) of the late rebel priest Conrado Balweg of the Cordillera region in northern Philippines is in the limelight lately. Some of their members are roaming around the city like cowboys looking for OK Corral. The armed CPLA members were accused of illegally imposing their authority in the community.
Allegedly the CPLA conducts illegal squatting in the area owned by the city government and some private landowners. They are using their organization to harass and threaten individuals who opposes their authority.
Other CPLA members act as legitimate police and military personnel of whom the residents are questioning their function and authority. Worse, abusive members resort to holdup and other petty crimes. This prompted the city government and the police office to call on residents and victims to report abuses committed by CPLA members.
Last March 13, 2008 three CPLA members were held in custody after they were caught in flagrante in a robbery incident somewhere in the central business district. They were also charged for illegal possession of firearms.
The CPLA is a former communist rebel organization allied with the New People’s Army operating in the highlands of the Cordillera and the surrounding provinces. Their group is composed of different ethic tribes in the Cordillera. The CPLA joined the mainstream in the early 80’s after signing a peace treaty with the then Aquino government.
Today, the CPLA is spread all over the Cordillera region including Baguio City in which they stroll like cowboys in the old Wild West where the likes of Billy the Kid instilled fear on the bad guys.