by Peter A. Balocnit
 
TABUK, Kalinga, April 4 (PIA) – The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) created a task force to conduct dialogue for possible amicable settlement of the clan conflict in Lubo, Tanudan.
 
During a special meeting of the PPOC, the task force was urgently formed to explore on avenues leading to the peaceful solution of the conflict and to prevent further bloodshed.
 
The task force is composed of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Kalinga and Apayao Religious Sector Association (KARSA), Kalinga Bodong Council (KBC), and the office of the congressman.
 
Particularly named were Provincial PNP director P/Supt. Virgilio; 21st IB commanding officer Col. Maning Tawantawan; Pastor Luis Ao-as of KARSA; Engr. Andres Ngao-i of KBC; and Fidel Pan-oy of the office of the congressman.
 
The PPOC also committed its full support in terms of resources and logistics needed by the group to pursue dialogue meetings with Lubo elders and representatives of the conflicting clans.
 
Tanudan Mayor Johnwell Tiggangay reported the clan conflict might escalate if nothing is done to stop the killing.
 
Bulanao barangay chairman Virgilio Gunnawa belonging to the Lubo sub-tribe earlier wrote the provincial leadership to intervene in patching up the problem.
 
Gunnawa, who is also the Association of Barangay Chairmen president of Tabuk thanked the PPOC for acting on his appeal.
 
The task force met today to plan out on how to pursue the assigned job since the task at hand is a delicate matter which needs patience and understanding the dynamics of "binoboroy" (clan conflict).

 
Earlier, the group ruled out the petition of officials of two Lubo barangays wanting the pull out of security forces dispatched in the areas.
 
“The deployment of a composite team of local police and military personnel is a duty of government to stabilize peace and order and to protect innocent civilians from becoming victims on the on-going trouble,” the PPOC ruled. (PIA-CAR/Kalinga)