English - Balay Mindanaw

Part 2 - Four Datus: Stories of the Higaunon Lifelands in Bal-ason are under the possession of the Dumagats.With the co-existence of Dumagats and Higaunons inBarangay Kalipay, Tatay Malindahay exercises impartialitywhen it comes to imposing justice. He expounded this,saying:“As a leader, I treat each one fairly. Even if it’s my childwho commits a mistake, I must impose due punishmentbecause a person would not behave unless punished. That iswhy here in Kalipay, I told the Dumagats not to hesitate inapproaching me should somebody -- be it my child or anyHigaunon -- commit a wrong against them, because I wouldnot defend a criminal, even if he belongs to my tribe. I mustuphold justice and the law.”As a datu, there were times when Tatay Malindahaywould mediate conflicts involving Higaunons in other areaspredominantly inhabited by Dumagats. But before doing this,he said he always asks permission from the barangay captainin that particular area, as he once did in mediating a case inBarangay Lunao in Gingoog. In Kalipay, where his brotheris the barangay captain, they made an agreement pertainingto handling husay, especially because a great portion of thebarangay population now are Dumagats. Tatay Malindahaysaid:“We struck an agreement. If all the parties in the conflict areDumagats, he would handle the case. But if it were Dumagatsagainst Higaunons, I would handle the settlement. But whenI do mediations, I would ask him to witness the event so hewould not forget our tribal policies and laws.”Higaunon Armed ResistanceTatay Malindahay witnessed and even initially took part inthe Higaunon resistance movement dubbed as the “Higaunon75