Camp Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet – As part of the continuous reconciliation efforts to end the boundary dispute between the two tribal communities of Betwagan, Sadanga, Mountain Province and Butbut, Tinglayan, Kalinga, Police Regional Office Cordillera Regional Director PBGEN R’win S Pagkalinawan facilitated another dialogue and conducted ocular inspection at the disputed boundary site.
The PROCOR peacekeeping party together with the DENR, NCIP, DPWH and PIA and tribal representatives climbed Mount Ekar early morning of December 16, 2020 as agreed upon during the peace dialogue hosted by the PNP last month. Tribal elders and officials from both sides met with the government body at a patrol base of the 50th Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army near the disputed site for another dialogue to determine and set the supposed boundaries.
During the meeting, it was agreed that the body will be divided into two groups, one will be led by PBGEN. Pagkalinawan in the area of Barangay Betwagan while the other group led by Chief, Regional Staff, PCOL. RAMIL L. SACULLES, went to the Bugnay area for the inspection and markings on the agreed boundaries.
Although only two out of the eight supposed markings were put in place as both tribes failed to come into agreement as to their boundary site, the peace efforts gained more footing with this promising development.
Another dialogue is set on January next year with hopes to finally put to an end the hostilities.
With the result of the meeting and inspection of the boundary area, the peacekeeping body needs to re-assess and formulate new strategies to finally come up with a peaceful and definite resolution of the conflict. PBGEN. Pagkalinawan enjoined both tribes to maintain the gained momentum of peace until their territorial misunderstanding is resolved through peaceful means. (PROCOR PIO)