Reward for info on Kiltepan arson 300K

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA Mountain Province --- The reward to anyone who can give valid information on the burning of two structures at scenic Kiltepan Peak here has been raised to P300,000.

Property owner Wilson Capuyan said the initial P200,000 reward was raised to P300,000 with P100,000 increase given by sympathizers.

This, as he asked local officials and elders to issue statements condemning the incident as it is culturally offensive to the culture and morals of the people of Sagada.

Two structures at Kiltepan Peak, a resto-café and a residential cottage were intentionally burned night of Nov. 8 this year. 

Police investigation revealed exploded IEDs (improvised exploded devise) were found at the private room and concrete flooring of the bungalow restaurant while four sets of explosives were found at two concrete posts and in between the beam and wall of the residential cottage.

Found in the vicinity were unused 13 dynamite sticks (near the cottage) and accumulated burned commercial safety fuse.

Petitions circulated in town and online were signed by Sagada residents here and abroad condemned the fburning strongly believed to be an act of arson and upheld the inayan culture of the cultural town here.

The belief of inayan mandates one to do good to another lest bad misfortune befalls to the perpetrator or any member/s of the immediate family of anyone who does an evil act to another.

A house is considered a living structure that has undergone rituals that the community performs starting from the construction of the post to the installation of the roofing to finishing where thanksgiving is done and people are invited to partake of the blessing and give thanks to God with the members of the family.

Investigation of the incident by the police is still on-going.