KWP

There was a time when people would deliberately presume that the rugged mountainous terrains of Kalinga were home to vicious warriors and savages which inspired various tales and legends to this day. Decades of headhunting and countless records of waging wars with other tribes emboldened the elders to develop a peace-pact system as they desire to live in peace and social security with the belief of advancing towards economic prosperity and social stability if peace is achieved. Hence, Bodong came into existence.

Bodong emerged as an intervention for lex talionis (law of retaliation) provision years ago. Back then, vengeance is justified as long as blood is drawn. Natives believe that if they don’t retaliate, they will always end up being taken lightly. This remedy determines the relationships of a tribe and its domain with another tribe and it mutually binds the law that grows the relationship of these tribes with each other. Further, crimes with no apparent danger such as stealing and the like can be resolved through series of peace-talks and intensive arbitration to make sure that a certain matter won’t be taken lightly. Whenever conflict arises, this unique justice system intervenes through the nangdon si Bodong (the peace-pact holder) who initiates the negotiations through an intermediary known as mansakusak to resolve the transgression.

The practice of Bodong is guided by the pagta, which is either constituted orally or in writing, although the latter is the prevailing practice at present. Through the test of time, the peace-pact evolved as protection for traders and non-native merchants when they cross tribal borders. At present, Bodong is usually established when an individual member of a tribe or barrio has a business relationship with another person from the other tribe.

BODONG:

The Legal Ambit of Kalinga