TABUK, Kalinga — Religious and military leaders here, two likely adversaries, displayed a rare display of partnership when they forged an agreement for both parties to actively work for peace and development in Kalinga and Apayao, two of the remote Cordillera provinces.

Both sectors of society agreed to work together in resolving issues affecting the citizens through the newly created Church-Military Advisory Group (CMAG), the first of its kind in the country.

Col. Remigio de Vera, commanding officer of the 501st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, informed Church leaders and local officials the historic agreement serves as a covenant between the Kalinga-Apayao Religious Sector Association (KARSA) and the 5th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) represented by the brigade which has jurisdiction over the two Cordillera provinces.

On the other hand, Lt. Col. Antonio Lastimado, commanding officer of the 21st Infantry Battalion, asserted the importance to strengthen a mutual collaboration between the military and the religious sector to address the serious negative effects of insurgency to the livelihood of people, especially in depressed communities.