Will another consultation for Betwagan-Butbut tribe leaders work to end conflict?

Tabuk City, Kalinga – With issues arising from the conditions set by the Betwagan sub-tribe on the conduct of ‘Sipat’ ceremony, peacemakers in the province are now looking into other means to resolve the old-age boundary dispute of Betwagan and Butbut.

Sipat, a traditional method in the Cordillera to avoid bloody clashes between warring tribes through the exchange of tokens, was the main option to restore peace between the two sub-tribes from Kalinga and Mt. Province.

It was during a peace dialogue held on July 12 this year that the Butbut elders and leaders responded positively to the ‘Sipat’. The Betwagan sub-tribe through a letter, however, reiterated they will only agree to enter into a ‘Sipat’ if their conditions are met.

Said conditions include the removal of animals being grazed in the disputed area.

The result of said peace dialogue was relayed by Engr. Andres Ngao-i during the Provincial Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development (PAGPTD) meeting over the weekend.

With this, efforts of government and volunteer peace mediators that aim to reach a consensus for said peace problem came to a standstill anew.

However, Ngao-i informed the body that the Philippine Army who has jurisdiction over the two warring sub-tribes plans to call the barangay captains in said areas for a consultation.

Apart from this, Ngao-i likewise shared the plan of creating a task force involving elders and peace pact holders from neutral tribes.

Said group will collaboratively work with local government units to take charge of contemplating and implementing possible resolutions aimed at putting an end to the hostility between the two sub-tribes.

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