TWO INDIGENOUS FARMERS DIE IN PHILIPPINES AFTER PARTICIPATING IN TRADITIONAL WATER ORDEAL RITUAL

A tragic incident involving traditional conflict resolution methods resulted in the deaths of two indigenous farmers in the southern Philippines. The victims were identified by local authorities as Tonny Bulanon Mansag, 69, a resident of Sitio Ulo Tubay, and Gaspar Tusan Palasanon, 49, a resident of Sitio Katimbol, both belonging to the B'laan indigenous community in Barangay Datal Anggas, located in the municipality of Alabel, Sarangani province, Mindanao.

According to official reports, the event occurred around 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 16, 2026, in the Glamang River. Both men had been involved in an ongoing disagreement regarding the ownership and use of an agricultural parcel of land. After failing to reach a resolution through the official local governance mechanisms at the barangay level, both parties agreed to undergo a traditional customary practice known as Sulif, a trial by ordeal historically practiced by certain indigenous groups in the region.

Under the customary rules of the Sulif ritual, both opposing parties submerge themselves in a body of water simultaneously while holding their breath. According to traditional belief, nature judges the truthfulness of the claims: the individual who surfaces first is deemed at fault or guilty, while the person who remains submerged longer is considered to be in the right.

During the procedure on October 16, both men remained submerged underwater for approximately 12 minutes without emerging to the surface. Observing that neither participant was surfacing, onlookers retrieved both individuals from the river in an unconscious state.

Emergency assistance was sought, and both men were transported to medical facilities. Tonny Bulanon Mansag was declared dead upon arrival at the Sarangani Provincial Hospital. Gaspar Tusan Palasanon was rushed to a medical center in General Santos City, where he succumbed hours later on the afternoon of the same day.

In several indigenous territories in Mindanao, including areas inhabited by the B'laan and Tagakaulo communities, customary justice systems have historically incorporated physical trials when formal mediation efforts fail. Agrarian disputes remain common in rural parts of the country, where agricultural land serves as the primary source of livelihood and where customary norms coexist with formal statutory laws.

Representatives of indigenous peoples' associations in Sarangani noted that while Sulif forms part of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms aimed at maintaining community peace, cultural practices lose their intended purpose when they result in loss of life, emphasizing that cultural traditions must align with national legislation and human rights protections.

The case is currently under formal investigation by officers from the Alabel Municipal Police Station alongside the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12). Investigating officers are examining the precise circumstances surrounding the deaths, the details of the underlying land dispute, and potential liabilities associated with the gathering.