Talks to stop tribal war between Mt. Province, Kalinga tribes ‘positive’

SAGADA, Mountain Province – Negotiations to stop a tribal war between the tribes of Tulgao, Tinglayan, Kalinga, and Sagada, this province over the recent murder of a Tulgao businessman and his companion in Madepdepas, Sabangan are turning “positive.”

Tribal and political leaders of Tulgao met last week with their counterparts from Sagada and Sabangan town, where the killing occurred.

Police said instead of revenge, Tulgaos decided to sue in court the perpetrator. Tulgao elders reportedly advised all their provincemates to desist from taking action that would escalate hostilities.

“Dialogues have been started and terms have been initially drawn. We will be attending a meeting with Governor Maximo Dalog (Mountain province) for us to draw up plans to respond to all of these tragedies” said Ray Fiar-od, Sagada officer of the Dept. of Interior and Local Government.

Fiar-od said a crisis management team was created last week to address the killing. .
The tension was triggered by text messages circulating in Kalinga stating there was need to avenge the loss of one of their tribesmen and serious wounding of another during a hacking incident.

But Senior Supt. Alexander Pumecha, head of the intelligence division of the Police Regional Office in the Cordillera, told newsmen in Camp Dangwa, Benguet there was no truth to text messages being circulated in Mountain Province that a student and a gasoline boy were killed by Tulgao warriors to avenge the murder of their tribesmen and serious wounding of another.

Earlier, Eusebio Palok was killed, and Roy Maymaya was wounded when they were allegedly hacked to death by a certain Domingo Bangsoy, former barangay captain Madepdeppas , Sabangan, not Taccong, Sagada as earlier reported.

The two victims, who were Tulgao were engaged in sale of bolos and native woven products.
Police investigation revealed Pallok and Maymaya had an earlier drinking spree with Bangsoy.

A heated argument resulted to the death of Pallok and wounding of Maymaya.
Bangsoy is now in jail at the Sabangan municipal jail after he surrendered, said a police report.

A joint resolution by both Bontoc and Sabangan town councils was passed urging Tinglayan Mayor Johnny Maymaya to settle the case and that a moratorium be observed to avoid escalation of the incident.

Sagada Mayor Eduardo Latawan II said talks are ongoing smoothly to resolve the case urging people not to send out irresponsible text messages on the issue.

On July 29, students from Tulgao, Sagada and Sabangan met at the Mountain Province Polytechnic College.

Tulgao students reportedly said they would not let themselves be used by unscrupulous people and instead advice their relatives not to avenge as it will only complicate their situation and make things worse.