TINGLAYAN, Kalinga – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) joined the local government units (LGUs) of Sadanga, Mountain Province, and Tinglayan, Kalinga, in asking the feuding tribes to keep sobriety and calmness following the killing of a hunter from Barangay Bekigan, Sadanga over a week ago. Acting Secretary Isidro L. Purisima of OPAPRU said in a statement his deep sadness over the continuing tension between the tribes of Sadanga and Tinglayan that has resulted in the death of members from both tribes. “Such acts of violence have no place in a humane, democratic, and peaceful society. The impact of these incidents will not only increase violence among members of the feuding tribes but also in surrounding communities,” said Purisima. “We commend the efforts of the local government and council of elders in containing the situation and pursuing peaceful means of resolving this long-time conflict,” he added. While the LGUs and the elders have faith in the Cordillera practices and traditions, Purisima asked for the continuity of their contributions to lasting peace by honoring the rule of law and upholding the peace covenant that was signed by the governors of Kalinga and Mountain Province in 2022. “We assure that the OPAPRU is taking all possible measures, and has requested the assistance of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to help prevent the possible escalation of hostilities,” Purisima said. Entitled “An Agreement to Uphold Peace and Harmony between the Province of Kalinga and the Province of Mountain Province,” the peace agreement contains measures that should be undertaken by both parties to prevent such situations of violence from arising. “We enjoin the elders of the feuding tribes and the governors of the two provinces to come together once again in the name of peace, in hopes of resolving their differences in a manner that will be beneficial for all for the sake of the future of their respective provinces,” he said. The peace covenant emphasizes the “just settlement of inter boundary disputes by peaceful means through negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to agencies, and other diplomatic approaches which do not endanger national peace and security, and justice.” The peace covenant seeks to help create conditions where genuine peace and sustainable development is achieved by building a stronger and more meaningful partnership between the two provinces. Meanwhile, police in Lubugan, Kalinga province are eyeing a tribal war angle on the gun slaying of a farmer in Barangay Mabilong, Lubuagan on April 13. Police Capt. Benjo Torres, chief of the Lubuagan police station, theorized that the killing of Joseph Guilloy, 65, a farmer residing in Barangay Mabilong, had something to do with the revenge of their tribal enemy due to the death of their member in July last year. Torres said Guilloy died due to the six bullet wounds he sustained. The police also seek due process in the killing incidents in the two provinces. (Freddie G.Lazaro)