Lawan-Lawan, LAS NIEVES, Agusan del Norte—The provincial government of Agusan del Norte, the municipality of Las Nieves, the military, elders, church and lay leaders organized an emergency peace dialogue here Saturday to stop the brewing conflict among tribes in the province.
More than 150 members of indigenous peoples and Higa-onon tribal leaders attended the three-hour dialogue held at Lawan Integrated High School.
The brewing conflict is supposedly being caused by land disputes, conflicts of interest, differences in governance and rumors that other tribes were either supporters of the New People’s Army or the military.
401st Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Alexander Macario said they wanted to avoid what is happening in Surigao del Sur where thousands of Manobo people have fled their homes out of fear of harassment and of being caught in the crossfire between conflicting forces there.
During the dialogue, Higa-onon leaders Datu Bawang, Datu Manhomosay and Barangay Captain More Migduyan agreed to forget their differences and intense disagreements.
They also called on their people to stop accusing each other of conniving with the rebels.
The tribal leaders instead vowed to fight their common enemies—poverty and ignorance.