Betwagan tribe, a no show on peace dialogue with Butbut

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Betwagan tribesmen of Sadanga, Mt. Province did not attend the scheduled peace talk on Wednesday, July 12, at Camp Juan M. Duyan, Bulanao, Tabuk City.

The tribe initially agreed to meet with Butbut tribe of Tinglayan, Kalinga to settle their decades-old dispute which stemmed from a boundary conflict. However, officials on Monday decided to send a letter instead.

“Ti barangay opisyales ken elders ti Betwagan ket saan da nga makaumay nga makitungtung gapu ta madama ti ngilin ti umili,” stated their letter addressed to Regional Director of PNP – Cordillera, PBGen David K. Peredo.

“Ngilin” is a community mourning observed after a tragedy, restricting the people to make unnecessary movements or roam around.

In their letter read by Provincial Director of Mt. Province police - PCol Sibly Dawiguey, the officials said they had long been wishing for peace.

“…Ngem gapu ngarud ti kinasukir ti bangir nga tribu nga mangpilit ti kayat da nga kapanunutan babaen ti panag-agaw… ti sabali nga tribo ket marikna nga madi da nga maisubli ti dati nga talna ken kapya,” they expressed.

They recalled the peace dialogue held last year. Back then, the two warring tribes did not reach any agreement as the Butbut tribe refused to recognize the Macli-ing boundary, as provided by the resolution of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee and multi-agency.

“Ken maysa pay, ipanaw ti taga-Bugnay diay baka ken nuwang da nga inpastor da idiay Mt. Ikar nga pastoran ti taga-Betwagan,” added the officials.

The tribe, they further stated, remains hopeful for the settlement of the long-standing conflict through the Office of PRO-Cor Regional Director.

The Provincial Directors of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Mt. Province who were present at the event are yet to relay the desire of other officials as well as Butbut representatives for the two involved parties to first have “sipat” (peace accord) before further discussing resolutions on the dispute.

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