By Jesse Maguiya

 

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Mayor Darwin Estrañero convened another meeting with officers and members of the Matagoan Bodong Consultative Council (MBCC), Bodong holders of the Kalinga sub-tribe Biga, and several Bodong holders from different tribes.

The discussion focused on a circulating piece of fake news claiming that the Biga sub-tribe intended to return the sipat given to them by the Basao sub-tribe.

During the meeting, Bodong holders and elders from the Biga sub-tribe assured Mayor Estrañero and Engineer Andres Ngao-I of the MBCC that they had taken swift action upon learning of the misinformation.

They immediately convened their own meeting and unanimously decided that Mr. Ignacio Baglinit would serve as their primary representative. Having accepted this responsibility, he will now hold the sipat and serve as the Bodong holder for the Biga sub-tribe.

In his message, Ignacio Baglinit, the Bodong holder of Biga, confirmed that they had already agreed to pursue a singlit with the Basao sub-tribe. (Singlit refers to a formal grievance or complaint raised by one tribe or party against another within the framework of the bodong (peace pact) system.

It is a means of addressing concerns or perceived violations of the peace pact, such as an offense, wrongdoing, or breach of agreement.)

He informed the mayor that they are fully prepared to face the Bodong holders and elders of the Basao sub-tribe through singlit. “Kayat mi koma nga ipanawagan iti kakailyan nga awan kina-agpaysu na dayta fake news a mapan mi isubli wenu ibabawi didiay sipat mi kadagiti kailyan a taga Basao ta dayta a banag ket saan a basta-basta karkaru ta uray dakami ket kayat min a malpas koma iti kasapaan a panawen daytoy problema ta awan met nasayaat nga ipaay na iti ili tayu a Tabuk City ken intiro a Probinsya ti Kalinga,” Mr. Baglinit explained.

Engineer Andres Ngao-I, speaking on behalf of the Matagoan Bodong Consultative Council, stated that they had also received the misinformation and immediately called the attention of both tribes to prevent unnecessary actions that could escalate tensions.

He reminded the Bodong holders from the Biga tribe not to spread unverified information.

Mayor Estrañero supported this, emphasizing the importance of caution, especially when dealing with sensitive matters. He warned that relaying information inaccurately often leads to distortions and misunderstandings.

“Masapul koma ag-verify tayu a nasayaat nu ada mangngeg tayu nga istorya tapnu maliklikan ti makunkuna a dagdag-bawas kasi kangrunaan a mapaspasamak ket manayun wenu makurangan ti maipasa nga impormasyon,” the mayor said.

With this development, the mayor expressed his satisfaction, informing the Biga elders and pangats that their confirmation to proceed with singlit was the only remaining step.

The Basao tribe had already expressed their willingness to engage in singlit earlier, and this confirmation now paves the way for the resolution process.

As a follow-up, Engineer Andres Ngao-I, Chairman of the MBCC, held a separate meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, with several Bodong holders and elders from the Basao sub-tribe.

He informed them about what transpired during Monday’s meeting with the Biga Bodong holders. In response, the Basao elders stated that they would immediately schedule a tribe-wide meeting to discuss a possible date for the singlit.