PROCOR Hosts Inter-Agency meeting for tribal conflicts resolution

Camp Major Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet – The Police Regional Office Cordillera hosted an executive meeting and Focus Group Discussion with the heads of the partner agencies presided over by the Regional Director PBGEN R’win S Pagkalinawan on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at the camp’s PROCOR Log Cabin.

The meeting was purposely held for the fact-finding body to present the result of their investigation. In attendance were members of the Command Group, Provincial Directors of Mountain Province and Kalinga, 503rd Brigade of 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, representatives of the provincial and regional offices of DILG, DPWH, NCIP, DENR, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Department of Agriculture.

Engr. Joseph Dilem of DENR’s Surveys and Mapping Division presented the map overlay of the disputed area as per results of the inter-agency investigations and supported by the testimonies of the representatives of the neutral tribes. Sadanga Mayor Hon. Gabino P. Ganggangan, who attended as a resource speaker, likewise presented a comprehensive background of the boundary dispute based on his research. He also gave a historical account of how the “Macli-ing boundary” came to be known as such.

Problems encountered in the course of the fact-finding inquiry were identified, such as the refusal of one party to recognize the testimonies of neutral tribes’ representatives. Atty. Wilson Kalangeg of Mountain Province NCIP, clarified that it was the Saclit and Basao elders and officials themselves who identified and sent their representatives during the January 15 dialogue. To address this issue, the two barangays should come up with resolution stating that the representatives sent were authorized to speak in behalf of their respective tribes.

Citing the recently reported shooting incident at the disputed site, PBGEN Pagkalinawan reiterated the urgent need to establish the boundary to finally put an end to similar confrontations between the two tribes. Further, he thanked all the attendees for their support in the peace efforts and presented Certificates of Appreciation to the resource speakers during the meeting. (PROCOR RPIO)