Lawmaker joins mediation of Abra boundary row

MANILA, Philippines - Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat has been asked to mediate a boundary dispute in Abra to avert a bloody tribal war between the Maeng tribe of Tubo town and the Balatoc, Belwang and Masadiit tribes of Boliney town.

The participation of Baguilat, who chairs the House committee on national cultural communities, was spurred by the request of the Tipon ti Umili Para iti Panangsaluad ti Nakaparsuan, which represents the Maeng tribe, for the House panel, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to mediate in the conflict.

An ocular inspection in the disputed area on Mt. Poswoy at the boundary of Tubo and Boliney towns, is set this week as part of the mediation process.

Joining Baguilat in the inspection are the local officials and tribal elders and leaders of Tubo and Boliney.

A 3-D (three-dimensional) map will be made starting Jan. 28 to serve as the main tool in facilitating discussions between the two tribal camps.

The tribes will identify in the map their previous agreements on traditional boundaries. From there, negotiations will be conducted until the parties come up with a consensus on the final boundaries.

In a joint resolution, the mayors of Tubo and Boliney agreed on the need for a peaceful resolution of the boundary conflict, as it is essential for the approval of their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) application and the development of their communities.

“I hope that the ocular inspection and the 3-D mapping of the area will resolve the heated conflict between the two tribes over their ancestral domain boundaries,” Baguilat said.

Also assisting in the mediation are the Foundation for Philippine Environment and the Philippine Association for Intercultural Development.