Map of Malaybalay in Bukidnon (courtesy of Google map)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) and Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders have collaborated to resolve the long-standing feud among IP clans in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon province to protect and ensure the survival of their community.
In a statement released on Friday afternoon, 8IB Commander, Lt. Col. Anthony Bacus, said resolving the feud between IP clans is a priority as conflicts among them could be exploited by the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army - National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
“The IP leaders play a significant role in their communities. They serve as the first responders against natural calamities and, more importantly, against the deception and exploitation of (the) CPP-NPA-NDF. So it is important to strengthen and build conflict-resilient IP communities,” Bacus said.
On March 16, two prominent IP clans in Bukidnon – the Dela Mance and Daluniag clans – set aside their differences and agreed to sit down and talk during the “Panastas” held at the Old City Hall in Malaybalay.
Both clans signed the peace agreement as stipulated under Republic Act 8371, or “The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997."
According to the 8IB, both families thanked the government for its efforts to end the feud through the “Panastas”, the IP tradition and custom used as a medium to achieve just and lasting peace in the IP community.
The term “Panastas” comes from the vernacular words “Panas”, which means to erase, and “Tas”, which means to cut off.
The Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Malaybalay City, Renato “Datu Makayuba” Sumbungan, and the 403rd Infantry Brigade, the 8IB, and other members of the City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (CTF-ELCAC), facilitated the customary “Panastas."
Based on the oral history among IP communities, the two clans have fought each other for decades, which sometimes resulted in fatalities on both sides.
The warring clans' respective leaders said the historic settlement provided them a respite and signals new hope for a better future.
Also present were the Datus of Malaybalay City and Cabanglasan, along with their Balyans who performed the rituals during the "Panastas." (PNA)
Source: Business Diary Philippines
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