Farmer killed as Butbut-Betwagan tribal conflict escalates

Tinglayan, Kalinga – A 40-year-old farmer in Tinglayan, Kalinga died after the decades-old feud between the Butbut tribe of said town and Betwagan tribe of Sadanga, Mt. Province escalated Tuesday, March 14, the Kalinga police confirmed.

A recurring boundary dispute between the two tribes remains unresolved, causing brewing conflict over the years.

Despite the COVID-19 crisis in July 2020, a Betwagan resident was shot to death while he was on his way to irrigation where he was then working. It was alleged that the shooting was done by members of the Butbut community.

The situation seems to be the exact opposite this time.

Edward Alunday, 27, and Richard Sagwil, 40, both residents of Bugnay, Tinglayan were ascending the foot trail around 4:30 p.m. to supposedly bring food to their tribesmen at the rice fields at Mt. Kumaykay, Bugnay when they were hit by a sudden burst of gunfire, the Kalinga police reported.

The perpetrators who were alleged to be members of the Betwagan tribe were positioned above the portion of the foot trail, around 500 meters away from the location of the victims.

Sagwil sustained a single gunshot wound on his left eye that resulted in his immediate death, while Alunday was shot in his left abdomen.

The shooting lasted for an hour.

Upon retrieval, Alunday was rushed to Tinglayan Municipal Health Office and was subsequently referred to Kalinga Provincial Hospital for further medication.

Sagwil’s body, meanwhile, now lies at their residence in Bugnay.

A thorough investigation of the incident is being conducted by authorities.

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