Indigenous Peoples break ties with CTGs, reconciles with government in Bukidnon

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon – The Higaonon community in Sitio Ulayanon, Barangay (Brgy) Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon pledged to break ties with the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) and reconcile with the government during the “Singampu Hu Butwaay” activity on October 10, 2020 at Sitio (So) Ulayanon, Brgy Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon.

“Singampu Hu Butwaay” is a traditional belief which in the Higaonon tribe signifies the reconcilialtion of two or more parties involved in alarming chaos in the Indigenous People (IP) community.

The event served as the IP leaders' symbol of their sincerity in going back to the folds of the government and in breaking their ties with the CTGs after being fooled and exploited for a long period of time.

The Higaonon community of Sitio Ulayanon headed by their tribal leaders were united and sincerely participated in the reconciliation activity together with Hon. Anthony A. Uy, Municipal Mayor of Impasugong, Datu Beny Cumatang, Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Impasugong, Datu Renato “Makayuba” Sumbungan, City IPMR of Malaybalay City, Col Jose Arn M. Real, Deputy Brigade Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade, PCol Roel Lami-ing, Provincial Director of PNP Bukidnon, Ltc Edgardo V. Talaroc Jr, Commanding Officer of 8th Infantry Battalion, and other government agencies who also addressed the issues and concerns raised by the residents.

“Kaming mga nakasala sa atong gobyerno tungod sa pag supporta namo sa komunistang terrorista, manumpa kami nga undangon na namo ang pakiglambigit ug pagsuporta sa mga komunistang terrorista ug mobalik na kami sa atoang tinuod nga gobyerno,” Datu Mambuloy, tribal leader in So. Ulayanon said during the activity.

(We who are guilty of supporting the communist terrorist pledge that we will stop engaging and supporting the communist terrorists and we will return to our real government.)

Hon. Anthony A. Uy, Municipal Mayor of Impasugong was very thankful to the IP leaders.

"Mapasalamaton ako sa mga tribal leaders ilabi na gayud sa mga tribal datu sa So Ulayanon sa ilang pag suporta tungod sa peace and order. Ang ilang pag paningkamot pinaagi sa lumadnon nga pamaagi arun adunay kalinaw ug kahusay sulod sa tribo ug sa barangay, dako gayud kaayo nga tabang nga mgkahiusa ang mga lumad sa atong pangagamhanan. Magbuliga Kuy," he said.

(I am thankful to the tribal leaders especially to the tribal Datu in So Ulayanon in their support to the peace and order. Their perseverance through their tribal ways or customs to have peace and order within the tribe and the barangay is a huge help to unite the tribe to government.)

Ltc Edgardo V Talaroc Jr, Commanding Officer of 8th Infantry Battalion said, “Malipayon ako sa gibuhat sa tribu nga nagkahiusa aron sa pag undang sa supporta ngadto sa terroristang grupo, nanghinaot ako sa uban nga tribung lumad dri sa Bukidnon nga buhaton usab nato nga magkahiusa para batukan ang komunistang terrorista."

(I appreciate the effort of the tribe who are united as one to end their support to the terrorist group, I hope that other Indigenous tribe will do the same in the fight against the communist terrorist.) 

“Ang pagputol sa pakiglambigit sa mga terroristang grupo ug pagbalik sa gobyerno ang kasulbaran aron makab-ot ang kalinaw ug kalamboan sa atong komunidad, Isa kini ka dakong hagit sa uban tribu nga angay buhaton aron batokan ang mga terroristang grupo nga dugay nang nagpahimulos sa kahuyang sa tribu,” Col Jose Arn M. Real, Deputy Brigade Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade said.

(Cutting-off the ties in engaging to the terrorist group and returning to the government is the key in achieving peace and development in our community. This is a challenge to the other tribes to do the same in the fight against the terrorist group that has long exploited the weakness of the tribe.)

Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 403rd Infantry Brigade, Joint Task Force Diamond, PA