Gunfire in Butbut and Betwagan disputed boundary caused alarm

Tabuk City, Kalinga – A gunfire happened at the disputed area of the Betwagan and Butbut tribe Saturday morning, February 27 causing alarm to the already fragile situation in the area.

In an interview with Patrolman Sidney Annaway of Tinglayan Municipal Police Station, he said they responded to Barangay Bugnay after an alleged firing was reported. Annaway said informants told they heard the gun shots just above the Mt. Tummuwad, a land disputed area.

The gun shots were reported to have happened around 8.30 in the morning. The Butbut tribe claimed the firing was made by the other tribe. Although it caused some alarm, there was no report of injury or worse incident that transpired.

PNP dismantles civilian post in Tinglayan

On February 23, the PNP dismantled a civilian post which used to be a military encampment. It was feared that the demolition of the post will create insecurity within the area with no one to watch over movements of both tribes.

The dismantling of the civilian post without proper coordination was criticized by Barangay Bugnay saying they should have been informed of the demolition before the government forces came to destroy the encampment.

The barangay officials said they would have wanted a memorandum of agreement first to ask the PNP to give them security and ensure that the area be guarded to prevent untoward incidents that may follow due to absence of guards.

Who pulled the trigger?

Kalinga Police Provincial Director PCol. Davy Vicente Limmong said that since the Bodong of the two was severed in February 2020 due to the longstanding boundary dispute, firing incidents have already happened between these warring tribes but there have not been admission as to who pulled the trigger first.

Meantime, Limmong said that the police will continue to patrol the disputed area which is about 2500 hectare and is surrounded with forest.

As for the ongoing peace dialogues, pieces of information gathered were endorsed to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples for validation of the establishment of boundaries between the two.

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