Conrado Balweg, a former Catholic priest turned revolutionary leader, was a prominent figure in the fight for Cordilleran autonomy. Born in 1944 to a Tingguian family, part of the broader Igorot community, Balweg emerged from the highlands of the Cordillera to lead a movement that would leave a lasting mark on Philippine history.
From Priest to Revolutionary
Balweg's early years were spent in the mountains of Abra, part of the Tingguian tribe, often referred to as one of the indigenous groups in the Cordillera region. Despite the misconceptions about their traditions, Balweg rose above the stereotypes, attending missionary schools and later becoming the first priest from his tribe.
He studied with the Societas Verbi Divini (SVD), an international Catholic missionary order, where he was exposed to both Marxist thought and Liberation Theology. This influenced his strong sense of justice for the poor and marginalized. However, these views conflicted with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and by 1979, Balweg left the priesthood and joined the New People's Army (NPA), taking the name "Ka Ambo."
Formation of the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA)
Conrado Balweg became well-known in his fight for Cordilleran self-determination. But as tensions grew within the NPA, he denounced the organization's approach, claiming that lowland leaders were exploiting the Igorot people. This led him to break away and form the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA) in 1986, which aligned more closely with the local struggles of his people.
Under Balweg's leadership, the CPLA sought autonomy for the Cordillera region. He and then-President Corazon Aquino formalized a ceasefire with the government in the 1986 Mount Data Peace Accord ("Sipat"), a significant milestone in the Cordilleran quest for autonomy.
The Motive Behind the Killing
Balweg's assassination was rooted in deep ideological and personal conflicts. His breakaway from the New People's Army and formation of the CPLA was seen as a betrayal by the NPA leadership. The NPA, a communist revolutionary group, viewed his push for regional autonomy as counter to their broader goal of national revolution.
Balweg had accused the NPA of being a totalitarian organization, controlled by lowlanders, and acting against the interests of the Igorot people. This public denunciation, coupled with his efforts to work with the Philippine government, infuriated the NPA leadership. They saw his actions as undermining their cause, and his influence as a local leader posed a threat to their control over the Cordillera region.
In response, the NPA justified the assassination by accusing Balweg of committing "crimes against the Cordilleran people and the revolutionary movement." His brother, Jovencio Balweg, was allegedly part of the NPA unit that carried out the attack. Although Jovencio denied firing the fatal shots, the killing was framed as an act of justice within the NPA's ideological framework.
Procorpio Tauro, also known as "Ka Lito" or "Pyro," was directly implicated in Balweg's death. The Philippine police identified Tauro as the one who fired the shots, but the assassination was clearly a planned and politically motivated operation by the NPA leadership.
A Call for Peace
Despite the tragic death, the Cordillera People's Liberation Army, led by leaders such as Ama Mariano Agosto and Modesto Sagudang, resisted calls for retaliation. In the wake of the murder, Agosto, the president of the Cordillera Bodong Administration, said:
"We have no intention to avenge his death through arms because we would be violating our peace agreement with the government. We no longer resort to armed resolution of conflicts, they are better done through peaceful means."
This statement was made in response to threats from CPLA commander Sumulong Sayen, who had vowed to launch a search-and-destroy operation against Jovencio Balweg and other NPA members involved. However, Agosto and Sagudang called for a peaceful resolution, asking the NPA:
"Can you stand up for non-violent resolution of conflicts? When will you, the Cordillera NPA cadres, start again to recognize your indigenous culture and traditions?"
Continuing the Fight for Autonomy
Despite the tragic end of Balweg's life, his legacy lives on in the continuing fight for Cordilleran autonomy. Gavino Gang-gangan, secretary general of the Cordillera Bodong Administration (CBA), made it clear that the struggle would continue:
"We will be firm and consistent with our demand for autonomy in the Cordilleras."
At the time of his death, Balweg had been leading talks with the national government on Cordillera autonomy, alongside Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora. This dialogue had been initiated under the presidency of Joseph Estrada and was seen as crucial for the region's future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who was Conrado Balweg and why was he significant?
Conrado Balweg was a former Catholic priest from the Tingguian tribe, an Igorot group from the Cordillera region. He became known for leading the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA) in their fight for regional autonomy, advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples. His leadership helped bring the 1986 Mount Data Peace Accord, a crucial agreement between the CPLA and the Philippine government.
2. Why did Conrado Balweg leave the priesthood to become a rebel?
Balweg was deeply influenced by Liberation Theology, which promotes social justice and the empowerment of marginalized groups. Dissatisfied with the church's stance and the growing exploitation of Cordilleran lands, he decided to leave the priesthood in 1979 and join the New People's Army (NPA) to fight for indigenous rights. Later, he formed the CPLA after distancing himself from the NPA.
3. What was the Mount Data Peace Accord?
The 1986 Mount Data Peace Accord was a historic ceasefire agreement between the Philippine government and the CPLA led by Conrado Balweg. It marked the end of armed conflict between the two sides, and paved the way for discussions on autonomy for the Cordillera region.
4. Who killed Conrado Balweg?
Conrado Balweg was assassinated by members of the New People's Army (NPA) in 1999. The NPA, which Balweg had previously broken away from, justified the killing by accusing him of betraying their cause and working against the interests of the revolutionary movement.
5. What was the motive behind Conrado Balweg's assassination?
Balweg's break from the NPA and the formation of the CPLA, which pursued regional autonomy instead of a national revolution, led to tensions between him and the NPA leadership. His public denouncements of the NPA as being against Igorot interests were seen as betrayal, leading to his assassination.
6. How did the CPLA respond to Conrado Balweg's death?
In the wake of Balweg's death, CPLA leaders, including Ama Mariano Agosto and Modesto Sagudang, called for peaceful means of resolving the conflict and discouraged retaliation against the NPA. They believed avenging his death would violate the peace agreement with the government.
7. What role did Jovencio Balweg, Conrado's brother, play in the assassination?
Jovencio Balweg, a member of the NPA, was part of the group responsible for his brother Conrado's assassination. While he denied firing the fatal shots, he was involved in the operation. The NPA later claimed responsibility for the killing as a punishment for Conrado's perceived betrayal.
8. How does Conrado Balweg's legacy continue today?
Balweg's fight for Cordilleran autonomy continues through the ongoing efforts of the Cordillera People's Liberation Army and other regional leaders. His push for self-determination has shaped the region's dialogue with the national government on autonomy, and his contributions are still honored in local history.
9. What was the role of Liberation Theology in Conrado Balweg's journey?
Liberation Theology, which focuses on addressing social inequalities, deeply influenced Conrado Balweg's actions. His belief in the need to fight for the marginalized Cordilleran people shaped his decision to leave the church and pursue armed resistance before shifting to peace negotiations.
10. Did the Philippine government seek autonomy for the Cordilleras after Balweg's death?
Yes, Balweg's work toward regional autonomy continued even after his death. In 1999, under President Joseph Estrada, a committee was formed to address the issue, ensuring that the pursuit of Cordilleran autonomy remains part of the national government's agenda.
