The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity joins the local Government Units of Sadanga, Mountain Province and Tinglayan, Kalinga in the call for sobriety and calmness following the killing of a hunter from Brgy. Bekigan, Sadanga, Mountain Province over a week ago.

The OPAPRU is deeply saddened by the continuing tension between the tribes of Sadanga, Mountain Province and Tinglayan, Kalinga that has unfortunately resulted in the demise 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.

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. And while we have faith in the Cordillera practices and traditions, may we continue to contribute to a lasting peace by honoring the rule of law, and uphold 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 have requested the assistance of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to help prevent the possible escalation of hostilities.

Entitled, “An Agreement to Uphold Peace and Harmony between the Province of Kalinga and the Province of Mt. Province,” the peace agreement contains measures which could be undertaken by both parties to prevent such situations of violence from arising.

The said Peace covenant emphasizes that 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 does not endanger national peace and security, and justice.”

More importantly, the peace covenant seeks to help create the conditions where genuine peace and sustainable development can be achieved by building a stronger and more meaningful partnership between the two provinces.

Finally, 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. ###