Through the initial act of “sipat” (exchange of tokens) between elders, the local governments are hopeful that the conflict between the Betwagan tribe of Sadanga, Mountain Province, and the Butbut tribe of Kalinga will soon come to an end.
“In any endeavor towards peace, let us always be hopeful that the efforts will lead to a good result,” Kalinga Governor James Edduba said in an interview on Friday after initial talks with his counterpart, Bonifacio Lacwsan Jr. of Mountain
Province.
Edduba and Lacwsan met on the sidelines of the opening of the celebration of the Cordillera month on July 1 to support the peace process between the tribes and expressed interest in helping end the conflict.
The two tribes share a boundary.
The officials said they would initiate the peace process but it would still be up to the tribes' decision.
Both governors, however, expressed confidence that the tribal war that began in the early 1990s would be settled with both parties being guided to realize the value of peace.
"We are hopeful the tribal war that sows terror and disrupts the normal flow of life of the community people will be settled starting with an exchange of peace tokens," Edduba said.
It can be recalled that the national government, led by former president Corazon Aquino, and the local armed group Cordillera People’s Liberation Army of former priest Conrado "Ka Ambo" Balweg used the indigenous way of settling disputes, starting with the exchange of peace tokens.
Edduba said there are recommendations that the parties “follow the tradition and have a ‘sipat’ so that there will be something to start with."
“If we don't help them see that it is more beautiful to see peace and order, they might not see it anymore," he said.
"Every time there is an exchange of (gun) fire, the children run to hide, women carrying children to safety look for a safe place is a very disturbing sight."
Source: Philippines News Agency
