CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga- – Peacepact holders in the province agreed to adopt in their respective “pagtas” (constitution and bylaws) two provisions to sustain peace and order.
Adopted during a recent “Bodong” (Peacepact) summit were the prohibition of the sale and use of illegal drugs by their people in their areas of jurisdiction and penalizing violators thereof, and affirming the policy on “no automatic severance of peacepact during conflicts” but to give way for peaceful settlement or seek grievance through the courts.
Bodong is a bilateral peacepact between two sub-tribes in Kalinga with its own defined territory of coverage (bugis), subjects, constitution and bylaws, and a peacepact holder. A set of agreements between two sub tribes are laid down for peaceful co-existence.
The more than 1,000 participants to the summit held December 9 at the Kalinga Sports Center reiterated for the “institutionalization” in government peace and order functionaries this customary practice of maintaining harmonious relationship between sub-tribes.
In the provincial government, the Kalinga Bodong Council is a mandated member of the Provincial Peace and Order Council with the former giving assistance to peacepact holders celebrating the pact or warming up existing ones.
Gov. Jocel Baac assured he will make the summit an annual activity urging communities practicing the custom to warm up their relationships and strengthen their role as a support mechanism in settling disputes. **By Peter A. Balocnit
