Camp Major Bado Dangwa, Benguet – With the renewed hostilities following the recent shooting incident which resulted in the wounding of a Betwagan resident, PROCOR pleaded for ceasefire of armed hostilities between the tribes of Butbut, Kalinga and Betwagan, Mt. Province during a peace dialogue presided by Regional Director PBGen. R’win S Pagkalinawan on Friday, January 8, 2021.
The peace dialogue pushed through despite the reported shooting incident on January 3, wherein a 68-year old Betwagan farmer sustained gunshot wound on his left thumb when they were fired upon at Sitio Bobong, Betwagan, Sadanga by unidentified assailants while on their way to bring food supplies to their tribesmen guarding their tribal boundary.
During the dialogue, both tribes represented by the Punong Barangays of Betwagan and Bugnay and tribal elders brought out their sentiments regarding the issues on their boundary dispute. PBG Pagkalinawan encouraged them to resolve their dispute through traditional means.
He proposed to both parties to agree on a “Sipat” or peace pack and to come up with their respective sipat holder.
Hon. Gabino P. Ganggangan, Municipal Mayor of Sadanga, reiterated that both tribes have to agree for the “Sipat to further advance the peace dialogues.
After more than three hours of dialogue, tribal representatives agreed for a ceasefire. Both of the two Punong barangays also agreed in principle for a Sipat but Betwagan withhold its acceptance pending the presentation of the proposed peace pack before the tribe.
“Sipat” is an exchange of peace tokens after naming interim peace pact holders. It will serve as a bridge mechanism to pursue peace initiatives and the holders as overseers of continuing dialogue.
Joe M. With reports PROCOR PIO