Tabuk City, Kalinga – Series of peace dialogues have been conducted to resolve the decades-old tribal boundary dispute between Butbut in Tinglayan, Kalinga and Betwagan in Sadanga. Mt. Province.
Giving a background on the long-standing conflict, Chairman of Matagoan Bodong Consultative Council, Engr. Andres B. Ngao-i, during the July 12, 2023 peace dialogue held at Camp Juan M. Duyan, Bulanao, Tabuk City, said the peace pact between the two warring tribes had been severed twice.
The first instance, he recalled, happened around 10 years ago when members of the tribes residing in other areas were gravely affected. The two later agreed to restore the pact.
“Ti dakes na, after diay nagbobodongan yu, mabagal ti action, nagkurang ti action ti amin, pati LGU. Pinaspasan kuma ti LGU nga settle-en diay boundary,” Ngao-i narrated.
The peace pact was severed the second time when shootings erupted in the disputed area.
During the term of former Governor Ferdinand Tubban, Kalinga and Mt. Province formed a task force from both sides for regular meetings until concerned agencies came to their aid.
Later, the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) released its boundary findings recommending that parties should follow the Macli-ing boundary - a boundary established in the mid-70s when the peace pact was transferred to Macli-ing Dulag.
When presented to them, Butbut tribe members refused to accept Betwagan’s claims.
The task force of both sides again held a meeting and elders proposed that indigenous practices be used in settling the dispute. “Sipat” - exchange of tokens as a sign of peace accord, was proposed for the two tribes.
“Ta nu nagsi-sipat tayo kuma, naganas ngay, very respectable ti panag-tugaw tayo amin tapnu solbaren tayo dayta problema,” stated Ngao-i.
The proposal gained positive feedback from Butbut tribe but the Betwagan leaders insisted that their condition be fulfilled.
“Idi mapan kami Betwagan, adu ti kondisyon… nga maki-sipat kami laeng nu ikkaten yu ti baka yu ken nuwang yu idiay boundary,” he added.
On their part, Butbut asserted that “Sipat” must be done first, without any condition.
The parties did not reach an agreement since then until more lives from both sides were claimed due to the conflict.
Peace dialogue with new PRO-Cor Regional Director
On Wednesday, Regional Director of PNP – Cordillera, PBGen David K. Peredo, joined the local police officials, Provincial Directors of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office from both provinces, to supposedly meet with Butbut and Betwagan tribes and reach an agreement for their dispute settlement.
However, only elders and officials of Butbut were present. Betwagan officials only sent a letter through Provincial Director of Mt. Province police, PCol Sibly Dawiguey.
Provincial Director of Department of the Interior and Local Government – Kalinga, Anthony Manolo Ballug suggested that the two tribes pursue “sipat” as a stepping stone towards the resolution.
The move was agreed upon by other leaders, including that of the Butbut representative.
Expressing their cooperation and willingness to end the conflict, NCIP and PENRO PDs from Mt. Province committed to relaying the information to Betwagan leaders.
Peredo, together with PD of Kalinga police, PCol Charles Domallig, Tinglayan Mayor Sacrament Gumilab, among other officials who attended the event, enjoined the two tribes to compromise and reach an agreement for harmonious co-existence.
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