Mayor Gumilab disappointed with uncoordinated dismantling of civilian post in Tinglayan by the PNP

Tinglayan, Kalinga – Municipal Mayor Sacrament Gumilab expressed disappointment over the dismantling of the military encampment turned civilian post in the disputed boundary between Betwagan and Butbut tribe.

The civilian post used to be a military encampment to prevent untoward incidents between the tribes but was later abandoned. To secure the safety of their tribe, Barangay installed a civilian post. However, the civilian post was dismantled by the police recently.

“The action of the Philippine National Police is an outrageous act, it hampers even more the peace negotiation between the Betwagan and Butbut tribe,” said Gumilab in an interview describing the demolition carried out by the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) and Special Action Force (SAF) on the said civilian post.

Gumilab added that the police used deception and force in the operation they carried out since it was done while negotiations between PNP Tinglayan and Butbut elders was on-going last Tuesday, February 23.

Demolition happened before a Memorandum of Agreement

He narrated that during the talk with PNP Tinglayan, the elders agreed on the demolition but in return, the police force should affirm the security of the community of Bugnay first through a Memorandum of Agreement with the Police Regional Director of PROCOR.

“Now, idi adda iti pulis pailang ti Tinglayan idiay Bugnay, in- ICOM ti leaders ti Bugnay nga agwithdraw kayu nga tropa, nga civilian ta sumang-at ti pulis Tinglayan, idi kuma mapanen dagidiay pulis ti Tinglayan, pinuuran dagidiay pulis nga RMFB nga naggapu from Mt. Province area,” he continued.

This, according to Gumilab, alarmed the community making them conclude that they were deceived by the police officers, adding that said incident broke the trust of the community to the police officers which could possibly affect the on-going negotiation as they are considered as the lead agency of the negotiating panel.

“Kayat da met nga maikkat idiay provided nga adda lang protection nga ited ti military or iti pulis para idiay tribu da ta nagasideg gamin, nu pumaltug diay banger nga tribe idiay nga area, mapan iti balbalay iti Bugnay,” he said.

The civilian post as deterrence to attacks

“The civilian post is deterrence to a possible armed attacks coming from the other tribe. The demolition of the civilian post and prohibition of civilian guards in such area without military or PNP presence open the warfields to an open warfare between the tribes,” he added.

Further, the municipal mayor said that the police acted on their own and disregarded their partners, the different national line agencies.

“Nagad-adu nga line agencies, DENR, NCIP, DPWH ken dadduma pay ngem isu da lang ti nag-action nga napan idiay ket mabalin met nga pagtungtungan diyay, uray LGU han da pay nga in-involved,” Gumilab said.

“Ket although diyay ket disputed area, ti iconsider kuma gamin met ti PNP ket ti strategic location na idiay, possible nga matamaan iti babbalay , diay lang nga highground ti mabalin nga mangpreventan ti Butbut tribe iti possible nga possible armed attacks coming from the other tribe,” he said.

PNP should understand culture of both tribes to solve issues

Understanding the culture of the two tribes on how they tackle said issues should have been done first by the police regional office, Gumilab also pointed out. This is because when a peace pact is severed, a possibility of armed conflict will arise anytime.

Additionally, to solve the issue, the mayor said the presence of peacekeeping force in both areas should be made possible.

Gumilab still thankful for the PNP’s contribution to the peace process

Meantime, the mayor during the interview said he is still thankful with the PNP for their efforts being one of the lead agencies in the continuous peace negotiation.

“Agyamanak ta sumsumrek da iti negotiation ngem adalen da kuma nga ustu before da nga agaramid ti action da tapnu garud makatulung da nga mayat iti community kasi kailangan mi ti PNP, ti amin nga sangay ti government tapnu continuous kuma ti negotiation,” he said.

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