Bontoc boy’s slay feared to spark tribal war

Murder raps set against suspect 

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The killing a 13-year-old boy April 10 here allegedly by a laborer from Tinglayan, Kalinga is feared to spark a tribal war  even as Bontoc police are preparing murder charge against the suspect.

Senior Insp. Richard Soliven, chief of police, said four witnesses have voluntarily given their statements to police, linking Saldy Alinung Dalug, 21, a laborer and native of Barangay Basao, Tinglayan, to the murder.

Soliven also appealed to relatives and friends of Bryden John Faniswa Crisostomo, 13, of Barangay Fatayan, Bontoc Ili, this town, to be calm and not take justice into their own hands to avenge the boy’s killing as it may escalate into a full-blown tribal war between Bontoc and Basao folks.

He said they are still investigating motive in the killing of the boy, whose body was found riddled with stab wounds on the stairs leading to the second floor of Waclet Mi-ing Building, Foyayeng, Bontoc Ili.

Soliven assured the family of the victim that his men are doing their best to make the suspect surrender and face accusations against him.