The feuding parties during the third round of conflict resolution.

AFTER years of conflict among Lumads in Inluntod, a hilly land straddling the northeastern part of Barangay Minalwang, Claveria, Misamis Oriental and southwestern part of Barangay Eureka of Gingoog City, the feuding parties finally settled their disputes, thanks to the help of community tribal peace builders -- Datu Dicno Mansumagan, Datu Manuel Pina-andel and Kagawad Rico Mansumagan.

Inluntod comes from the Higaonon word “luntod,” which means “from above.” The place is considered as “Tulamdanon ko Tumanod” (a place for rituals in hunting and forestry).

Before, this area was peacefully shared by both parties since there were no political boundaries then. But then, titling of lands came. The conflict started when the community elders applied for CADT conversion sometime in 2003.

On September 24-25, 2005, the first Inluntod conflict resolution was conducted at the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) office with the barangay officials and tribal elders of Minalwang and Eureka present. The meeting resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by both parties, which in turn led to the conduct of a perimeter survey last April. But conflict was started again by both parties, thus stalling the perimeter survey.

The NCIP recommended to resolve the conflict before the survey started again. Thus, a second round of talks were conducted last April 27-28. Site visit was conducted by both parties, together with Datu Mantangkilan of Sitio Mintapud, Barangay Hagpa, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. But the renewed attempts at resolving the conflict led nowhere.

As tension tightened, the perimeter survey team decided to reroute from Minalwang to Mt. Kimangkil instead of Minalwang to Sitio Mandalawat.

While the perimeter survey was going on, BMFI’s SIADOs thought of ways to end the conflict. Finally, last July 14-15, the third round of conflict resolution was conducted. Both parties were present, seven from Minalwang and five from Eureka, all men. Discussion was started by the elders on the first day. The next day was the presentation of resolution based on the discussion by the datus of both parties.

The negotiators resolved that 1) the MOA signed last September 24-25, 2005 will be implemented, 2) both parties will be present during the perimeter survey, 3) lastly, the elders’ decision, which is by traditions and culture, must be respected.

Thus, after the marathon meeting, both parties had already clarified their roles and responsibilities. They realized that openness, and the open channel of communication, is the best way to resolve conflict.