TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur – Two clans from Higaonon tribe were reconciled through a settlement ceremony called “Tumbasa Daw Bigola”, a dialogue to strengthen the bond / peace agreement in order to settle the two decades of tribal conflict in Barangay Sinakungan, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur last August 28, 2020.
The settlement ceremony was presided by Hon. Leonida P. Manpatilan, Municipal Mayor of Esperanza through the initiative of Lt. Col. Reynald Romel A. Goce, Commanding Officer of 26th Infantry (Ever Onward) Batallion, 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army (PA) and witnessed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), which was successfully conducted through the commitment by the clans of Endulom and Langbayan as they signed their written agreement resolving the conflict.
The Higaonon tribal structure had been destroyed since the exploitation of the CPP-NPA-NDF to the indigenous people (IPs) of the said barangay. Hence, they were empowered by Lt. Col. Goce to resolve the conflict within their tribe in order to re-establish and strengthen their IP Structure.
Hon. Calixto Lidanhug, Punong Barangay of Brgy. Sinakungan gave his gratitude to the LGU and 26IB for facilitating the said activity. “Through this settlement, not only the peace situation is being constructed but also the road going to our barangay will be developed for much better travel, unlike before.”, he said.
On the other hand, Hon. Manpatilan expressed her gratitude to Lt. Col. Goce for his inititative in facilitating the said activity and commended him for staying on the said barangay just to mediate the conflict issues. As recalled, Brgy. Sinakungan has undergone Area Clearing Evaluation for NPA infestation last July 2020, however, Hon. Manpatilan requested to postpone the declaration as cleared barangay due to the said conflict, in which according to her, it will be used by the NPAs as issues in order to agitate and make the situation worse.
“This day marks the true commitment of our native brothers and sisters in resolving their long-termed misunderstanding. Therefore, as our thanksgiving for your cooperation, I will now request the National Task Force- End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF- ELCAC) through our Philippine Army to declare Brgy. Sinakungan as cleared barangay from NPA infestation and is now ready for development.”, Hon. Manpatilan said.
Director Manuel M. Orduña, NICA Regional Director, gave emphasis about the vital role of IPs in achieving the main objective of NTF-ELCAC, and according to him, this settlement will resolve the effects of armed conflict in the said barangay.
Likewise, Lt. Col. Goce also stated his gratitude to all the support he received from the locals and from the LGU for making the activity successful. He also expressed his willingness and commitment to the LGU as a partner for peace and development, especially among all tribal communities. “There is a gossip that Brgy. Sinakungan possesses gold, and my stay here for weeks has proven it. The locals here truly own a golden heart that cares and graciously welcomed me.”, he said.
“This activity will fail without your help. This only proves that being united is the key to success. We, in the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, is commited to our mission in serving the people of Brgy. Sinakungan and securing its land against local terrorists in order to achieve sustainable peace and development in this area.”, Lt. Col. Goce ended.
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]
https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-initiated-tribal-conflict-ends-paves-way-for-peace-and-progress/
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