Bloodbath among warring Cordillera tribes thwarted

La Trinidad, Benguet , Philippines   – A bloodbath among tribes in the Cordillera that would have been the result of a killing of a member of a known “fearless” Kalinga tribe by another tribesman from Sagada town in Mountain Province was successfully averted.

Political as well as tribal leaders from both the Tulgao, a major tribe in Tinglayan town, Kalinga have met with their counterparts from Sagada and Sabangan town, where the killing occurred.

Cordillera police intelligence chief Senior Superintendent Alexander Pumecha said instead of facing the incident “blood for blood” as the fierce Kalinga tribe was long been known, Tulgaos have decided to sue the assailant instead. This, while they asked their tribemates to “calm down.”

More than a week ago, Tulgao bolo and handicrafts vendor Eusebio Pallok was killed by Domingo Bansoy, from Taccong, Sagada town, Mountain Province in Sabangan town, in Mountain Province.

Cordillera police director Chief Superintendent Orlando Pestano said Pallok and his tribemate Roy Maymaya had an earlier drinking spree with Bangsoy, a former barangay captain.

A heated argument resulted to the death of Pallok and wounding of Maymaya.

Sabangan town policemen are holding Bansoy now after he surrendered, said Pumecha, as efforts to thwart any spillover of vengeful attacks against Sagada went full swing.

A joint resolution by both Bontoc and Sabangan town councils was passed urging Tinglayan Mayor Johnny Maymaya to settle the case and that a moratorium be observed to avoid the escalation of the incident.

A “prayer text” has began circulating all over the Cordillera and abroad about the escalation of hostilities between Tulgaos and Sagadans including people from Sabangan. The circulating SMS message was even claiming Tulgaos have already killed a gasoline boy from Sagada and another one from Sabangan. “There is no truth to that,” said Sagada Mayor Eduardo Latawan II. “Talks are ongoing smoothly,” he said.

Pumecha said such irresponsible text messages may eventually sabotage the on-going peace overtures between the communities involved.

Wednesday last week, students from Tulgao, Sagada and Sabangan met at the Mountain Province Polytechnic College. Tulgao students vowed, Pumecha said, “not to let themselves be used by evil motives and instead advice their relatives not to avenge as it will only complicate their situation.”