(Photo courtesy of Lubuagan LGU)
BAGUIO CITY – Elders of the Lubuagan and Mabongtot tribes in Kalinga have signed a peace agreement ending decades of hostilities through the traditional “bodong” system of conflict resolution.
The agreement was forged on Oct. 5 at the Kalinga Sports Complex in Tabuk City, where representatives of the two tribes exchanged “sipat,” traditional symbols signifying their commitment to restore peaceful relations.
Darryl Abayon, information officer of the Lubuagan municipal government, said the settlement was reached through mediation led by Kalinga Bodong Council of Elders chair Johnny Maymaya and Lubuagan Vice Mayor Oliver Dickly.
The agreement also restored the bodong, a traditional peace pact that had been strained and eventually lifted after a series of incidents involving members of the two tribes over the years.
Under the bodong system, respected tribal leaders enter into an agreement that binds members of both sides to maintain peace and refrain from harming one another.
“The system carries a significance in the reconciliation process, which is the willingness of the parties to rebuild their bodong and restore trust and cooperation among their members,” Abayon said.
As part of the agreement, both tribes committed to end revenge and retaliation, avoid harassment and other acts of aggression, and abide by the terms of the peace pact.
The two sides also agreed to support measures that would prevent renewed conflict and resolve future disputes through dialogue, traditional mechanisms and other peaceful means.
The settlement highlighted the continuing role of indigenous conflict-resolution practices and traditional leadership in maintaining peace in Kalinga communities.
Meanwhile, police continue to monitor a separate tribal conflict involving the Butbut tribe of Sadanga, Mountain Province and the Tulgao tribe of Tinglayan, Kalinga.
Kalinga Provincial Police Director Col. Gilbert Fati-ig said more than 130 police personnel have been deployed for preventive patrols in affected areas.
Police are also investigating a recent incident and gathering statements for the possible filing of charges.
An advance command post has been established at the Buscalan checkpoint to strengthen monitoring and coordination.
The Department of Tourism-Cordillera, meanwhile, said it supports the local government’s decision to temporarily suspend tourism activities in Buscalan as a precautionary measure.
Buscalan is a well-known tourist destination associated with traditional tattoo artist Apo Whang-od.
