KALINGA RECORDS ZERO ELECTRON RELATED VIOLENCE DUE TO IP TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS

October 27, 2023 Headlines

BANGUED, Abra

Unlike Abra and other provinces bogged by poll-related violence as the BSKE election nears, Kalinga listed no such incidents from the start of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan
Elections (BSKE). According to Kalinga police Information Officer Captain Rufino B. Manganip, this peaceful atmosphere in the province is maintained by the traditional customs of the people from the different subtribes of Kalinga. He said, “Y-Kalingas” strong adherence to the “paniyaw”, “ngilin” and “bain” keep them from doing anything bad during the elections.

“Paniyaw” is a trait in Kalinga where every tribe member is responsible for his/ her actions and must think of the consequences to anyone and the society any bad act. While “Ngilin” is the
maintenance of good relationship of the people where it is taboo to do bad things that would severe their relationships and will destroy the harmony of the community. “Bain” means it is a shame to hurt other people and their feelings. Mutual respect must always be wielded.

In Mountain Province and Benguet, the version of “Paniyaw” is “Inayan” where a person upholds virtue and not doing things that negatively impacts anyone including the community. Manganip said that many of the candidates in Kalinga are relatives and families that is why they avoid having
grudges because of elections. He admitted though that one barangay in Lubuagan town is
considered as a “hot spot” because of the ongoing tribal war.

Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN