‘Sipat’ between Betwagan and Butbut tribe suggested to usher a ceasefire and begin the peace talks

Tabuk City, Kalinga – “Let’s pray that the Sipat between Betwagan and Butbut tribe pushes through and a formal declaration of ceasefire be made. Kapag nangyari ito sigurado na magiging tahimik at peaceful yung negotiations and resolution ng problema sa boundary conflict,” stated Kalinga Governor Ferdinand Tubban during his report to the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) chaired by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

In the RPOC, Governor Tubban provided updates on the developments of the Butbut-Betwagan conflict which escalated into exchange of gun fire early this year.

The conflict between the tribe reignited when a member of the Betwagan tribe attacked Butbut farmers tending their fields, prompting the other to retaliate. The contention originates from their boundary dispute.

To deescalate the conflict, the Police Regional Office Cordillera intervened with the help of other national line agencies. A proposal of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) likewise created a resolution proposing a possible boundary to settle the dispute.

Nevertheless, despite efforts of RLECC, the proposal was rejected by the Butbut tribe and the Kalinga PLGU. After deliberation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Kalinga, the Provincial Government resolved in the statement opposing the resolution of RLECC that although they commend the move, some contents of the resolution do not reflect the position of Kalinga Province.

They then suggested that Sipat be used to facilitate the resolution of the dispute.

“Ang sa amin dito sa Kalinga, mas maganda na idaan sa Sipat yun pagresolba sa dispute. Pag merong sipat kahit papaano mayroon ceasefire na mangyayari at mas mapadali yung pag-uusap sa pagitan ng dalawang tribu,” explained Tubban.

Governor Tubban, in his report to the RPOC, expressed hope that the plan to start the ‘Sipat’ on Monday, August 23, 2021 will push through and that both tribes will respond positively.

Sipat is the traditional way of preventing bloody confrontation between warring tribes through exchange of tokens.

During the Sipat, representatives of tribes shall bring and offer their token to the tribe they have a conflict with. If the token is accepted, then an understanding is reached to cease any violence and allow peace talks to proceed.

According to Governor Tubban, a special task force was earlier formed to handle the delicate issue, adding that representatives of Mt. province also visited Kalinga to aid in facilitating the peace talks and resolution of the boundary dispute between Butbut and Betwagan tribe.

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