MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) believes that convergence plays a key role in the forging of a closure pact with the Tabara-Paduano Group (TPG) of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB).

In a statement released yesterday, OPAPP said the closure pact, which is to be signed within the first quarter of 2012, will mark the transformation of the RPMP-RPA-ABB from an armed group into a socio-political organization.

Last November, OPAPP Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles briefed municipal chief executives of Negros Occidental on the status of the RPMP-RPA-ABB peace track as the closure pact draft nears completion.

Deles underscored the importance of putting a closure to the decade-old peace pact with the group.

“It’s time that the RPMP-RPA-ABB fully reintegrate themselves into mainstream society as citizens contributing to enhance the peace and development conditions in their communities. With the signing of the closure pact, they will no longer be called an armed group, but a legally recognized organization,” she said.

Forged in 2000 during the term of President Joseph Estrada, the group claims that most of the provisions stipulated in the agreement remain unimplemented. In 2007, RPMP-RPA-ABB split into two factions, the Tabara-Paduano Group and the Nilo Dela Cruz Group or NDLCG.

By the start of the Aquino Administration in July 2010, the peace agreement was being implemented with the two factions.

Under the closure track, the government agreed to engage both leaders and their members separately.

Separate talks with the NDCG are also under way, with the assistance of NAPC Secretary Eliseo Rocamora.

OPAPP Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo also mentioned convergence as a strategy during a planning workshop held recently with officials of Negros Island.

"Engagement of the local governments is key in ensuring smooth implementation of the envisioned closure pact," he said.