The rallyists, numbering at least 500 and including tribal leaders and elders, professionals and students from different universities, marched along Session Road, the city’s main thoroughfare, and converged at the People’s Park.
Robert Awingan, Kalinga bodong (peace pact) holder, said the killings of Franklin Gac-oy and Martin Bulakit, both in their 20s and students of the Pines City Educational Center and University of the Cordilleras, respectively, were not in any way related to any tribal conflict.
Awingan said tribal conflicts may result in killings but not beheadings. The severed heads of the two Kalinga students have not been found.
Another Kalinga tribal elder said that when a kayaw (hunt) is conducted against a rival tribe, it is immediately — and publicly — announced. No one has claimed responsibility for the beheadings.
The rallyists had goose bumps as Gac-oy’s grandmother, 63-year-old Rosita Daluping, performed a dassal, a Kalinga tribal ritual, apparently to welcome the spirits of her grandson and Bulakit.
She waved two pieces of white cloth as she chanted and deplored police inaction on the killings.
Gac-oy’s body was found along Marcos Highway in Tuba, Benguet last June 23, without the head, left arm and genitals. His killers scrapped his right arm and back, apparently to hamper his identification, but his relatives eventually identified him.
On the same day, Bulakit’s headless body turned up in La Union. His hands and feet were also missing, and his testicles and a tattoo on his back removed.
SPO1 Viyo Hidalgo, spokesman of the city police, said they are ready to extend any help to nail down the killers although the beheadings happened outside of their jurisdiction.
"We welcome the Kalinga people’s united stand as we are sympathizing with them," he said.
Bernadette Balway, speaking on behalf of the Kalinga Law Students Association, described the killings as "very alarming."
Balway said they are challenging Senior Superintendent Villamor Bumanglag, the newly installed Benguet police director, to solve the beheadings.
"Until now, the only statement we hear from the investigating officer is that the case is still for follow-up," she said.
Balway echoed suspicions that Gac-oy and Bulakit were victims of "salvagings" (summary executions).
At least half a dozen male bodies were found in Benguet towns since the first quarter of the year.
"This is a public concern," Balway said, appealing to anyone who may have information about the twin beheadings and the "salvagings."
"Are not our right to life and right to due process embodied in our Constitution?" she asked.