The Mount Data Peace Accord, commonly referred to as the 1986 "sipat," is a significant event in Philippine history. Signed on September 13, 1986, this peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA) marked a crucial turning point in the quest for autonomy in the Cordillera region.
Historical Context and Background
Before 1966, the Cordillera region was governed as a single entity under the Mountain Province. Administrative changes in June 1966 led to the creation of smaller provinces: Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Kalinga-Apayao. This reorganization, part of Presidential Order No. 1, divided the Cordillera provinces into two regions: Benguet and Mountain Province in Region I (Ilocos Region), and Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao in Region II (Cagayan Valley).
The Rise of the Cordillera People's Liberation Army
The drive for greater autonomy in the Cordillera region intensified due to controversial land allocations. The grant of 197,346.25 hectares to the Cellophil Resources Corporation (CRC) and Cellulose Processing Corporation (CPC) impacted several indigenous communities, including the Tinguian or Itneg people of Abra. Additionally, the proposed Chico Dam project heightened regional tensions.
In response, indigenous groups organized to address their grievances against the CPC, facing suppression from the Marcos administration. Leaders such as Conrado Balweg, who initially aligned with the communist New People's Army (NPA), eventually broke away to form the Cordillera People's Liberation Army. The CPLA sought self-determination for the Cordillera people through an armed struggle.
The Sipat: A Symbolic Peace Accord
The Mount Data Peace Accord, or "sipat," was formalized at the Mt. Data Hotel in Bauko, Mountain Province. "Sipat" is an indigenous Kalinga peace ritual that precedes the formal signing of a peace agreement among Cordillera tribes. This ritual symbolized the establishment of trust and the beginning of reconciliation between the warring parties.
Key figures in the signing ceremony included:
- Conrado Balweg: Leader of the Cordillera People's Liberation Army, essential in negotiating the accord.
- Ama Mario Yag-Ao: Representative of the Cordillera Bodong Administration, crucial to the peace process.
- President Corazon Aquino: Represented the Philippine government and played a key role in facilitating the agreement.
- Juan Ponce Enrile: Then Defense Secretary, who witnessed the signing.
During the ceremony, there was a notable exchange of peace tokens. President Corazon Aquino received a spear, shield, bolo, and head ax from Ama Mario Yag-Ao and Conrado Balweg, symbolizing trust and peace-building. In return, the government presented the CPLA with an assault rifle, a Bible, and a rosary. This exchange highlighted the commitment of both sides to peace and reconciliation.
Formal Negotiations and Administrative Reorganization
The sipat facilitated formal negotiations with Balweg, who had opposed the Marcos regime. These negotiations led to the establishment of the Cordillera Administrative Region through Executive Order No. 220, signed in July 1987. This order formalized the administrative structure, incorporating Baguio City and the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Apayao, Abra, and Kalinga into a single administrative region.
Post-Accord Developments
Following the sipat, the Cordillera Administrative Region was established in preparation for a possible transition to an autonomous region. Despite these efforts, plebiscites in 1990 and 1998 aimed at creating an autonomous Cordillera region did not gain sufficient support.
Although the CPLA has ceased its armed operations, it remains an active organization. The ongoing pursuit of autonomy reflects the enduring aspirations of the Cordillera people for greater self-governance.
Reflecting on the Accord's Legacy
The Mount Data Peace Accord, or sipat, is a critical chapter in the history of the Cordillera region. It marked the end of a significant conflict and highlighted the complexities of regional autonomy within the Philippines. The continuing quest for autonomy and the challenges faced in achieving it underscore the deep-seated aspirations of the Cordillera people for self-determination and regional identity.
This peace accord illustrates the power of dialogue and negotiation in resolving conflicts and setting the stage for future developments in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Mount Data Peace Accord?
The Mount Data Peace Accord, signed on September 13, 1986, was a peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA). It ended armed conflict related to the Cordillera autonomy movement and marked the beginning of formal negotiations for regional development and peace in the Cordillera region.
2. What does 'Sipat' mean in the context of the Mount Data Peace Accord?
'Sipat' is an indigenous term used in the Cordillera region, meaning a preliminary ceasefire or peace agreement. In the 1986 peace talks, the 'sipat' was the ritual exchange of peace tokens between the CPLA and the government, which symbolized mutual trust and the beginning of peace negotiations.
3. Who were the key figures involved in the Mount Data Peace Accord?
The key figures included President Corazon Aquino, Conrado Balweg of the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA), and Ama Mario Yag-Ao of the Cordillera Bodong Administration. Then-Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile also witnessed the peace accord.
4. What role did the 'Sipat' play in Cordillera history?
The 'Sipat' was a crucial cultural and political step toward achieving peace in the Cordillera region. It symbolized the willingness of both the CPLA and the Philippine government to engage in peaceful dialogue and negotiations, which eventually led to the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
5. Why is the Mount Data Peace Accord significant for the Cordillera region?
The Mount Data Peace Accord is significant because it marked the cessation of hostilities in the Cordillera region and opened the door for regional autonomy discussions. Although full autonomy has not been achieved, the accord laid the groundwork for the administrative structuring of the region and ongoing efforts for self-determination.
6. How did the peace tokens exchanged during the Sipat symbolize trust?
During the 'Sipat,' the CPLA gifted a shield and spear, representing the Cordilleran commitment to peace. In return, the Philippine government presented a Bible, rosary, and an assault rifle, symbolizing faith, defense, and security. These tokens underscored mutual trust and the shared goal of ending conflict.
7. How did the Mount Data Peace Accord affect the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region?
The Mount Data Peace Accord was instrumental in the establishment of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) through Executive Order No. 220 in 1987. The region's creation allowed for a separate administrative body focused on the development and potential autonomy of the Cordillera provinces.
8. What led to the signing of the Mount Data Peace Accord?
The signing of the Mount Data Peace Accord was driven by years of unrest in the Cordillera region. Discontent over land rights issues and the Chico Dam project prompted armed resistance by the CPLA, and the eventual peace talks and 'Sipat' in 1986 aimed to resolve these long-standing grievances.
9. Did the Mount Data Peace Accord fully achieve regional autonomy for the Cordillera?
No, the Mount Data Peace Accord did not immediately lead to full autonomy for the Cordillera region. While it led to the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), two plebiscites in 1990 and 1998 aimed at establishing an autonomous region did not pass, leaving full autonomy unrealized.
10. What is the historical significance of Conrado Balweg in the Cordillera autonomy movement?
Conrado Balweg was a former priest who became a leader in the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA). He played a pivotal role in the fight for Cordillera self-determination and was a key figure in the peace negotiations with the government, leading to the 1986 'Sipat' peace accord.
