Mt Prov, Kalinga tribes settle conflict for peace

By Francis Degay

BONTOC, Mountain Province --About 100 members of three tribal communities of Bontoc and Sadanga towns of this province and Tinglayan , Kalinga witnessed amicable settlement among said, March 16 here at the municipal grounds.

The parties decided that the alleged suspects who belong to the Bontok and Tinglayan tribes would pay P72,000 as settlement money.

The financial assistance would be used to pay for ritual animals, food and drinks that will be used in settlement and thanksgiving ceremonies.

The community relations section of Bontoc police headed by Insp. Richard Soliven documented settlement proceedings until documents were signed and notarized by lawyer Sergio Milan.

Based on police spot report, at about 10 p.m. on March 14, the victims were having a drinking spree in one of the bars near the Bontoc public market when the suspects coming from another table, joined them.

An argument ensued which resulted in a fist fight and stabbing. The police identified the victims as Menard Tabling Dao-ayan and Cristobal Manganip, both single, 19 and 22 years old respectively and residents of Sitio Tangadan, Barangay Bikigan, Sadanga.

The assailants were named as Ryan Comnad Kiat-ong, 23 of Caluttit, Bontoc; Rodante Marlongan Manallog, 21, single; Noel Lata-an Manallog, 19, both from Ambatu, Tinglayan and one Rex Lata-an Accad, 20. of Poblacion, Tinglayan.

The suspects from Tinglayan, all students of the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College based in Bontoc, surrendered voluntarily to the police.

In an interview with Bontoc police chief Insp. Marcial Fa-ed, who belongs to the Betwagan tribe of Sadanga, he related that conflicts between tribes in the Cordillera most often affect students and workers who belong to warring tribes and who are outside their territorial boundaries.

He said those involved in such disputes often stop their studies or jobs and go home to their respective places to avoid further retaliation and escalation of conflicts.

He urged those involved in tribal conflicts to immediately resolve these to attain peace.