By Mai Parco
Since time immemorial the name “Naabat” designates to a truly revered place for the Higaunon people. It serves as one of the earliest known “safe haven” of the tribe where around 40 to 50 pure Higaunon families peacefully dwell. It is the same sanctuary where Buuya Binu-aya, the legendary tribal warrior recognized as “the greatest alimaong” who ever lived in the history of Higaunon ancestors, comes from. Binu-aya is known for his grand courage, honor and his being a remarkable disciplinarian in the record of Higaunon tribal defense of the “walu ha talugan” (eight talugans).
It was only during the year 1988 where the structure in the modern context referred to as “barangay” was introduced in the area. Politically, Naabat became one of the sitios of Brgy. Panamin, Agusan del Sur. Nothing much has changed to the place. Even though it already became a “sitio,” it is still the same natural sanctuary of the many Higaunon families. Not until Naabat was seized fleetingly by a man known as Col. Alexander Noble of the Philippine Army who set off a revolt against the government. Naabat became one of Noble’s battlefields, highlighted with his troops’ encounter with the Philippine Marines dispatched by the government in the attempt to reclaim peace and order particularly in the mountains of Mindanao during that time.
Noble, together with his fellow renegades in the military, was believed to have recruited around 2,000 natives belonging to non-Muslim tribes which he trained in guerilla warfare. Many of these natives took part in the Mindanao rebellion Noble led in 1989. In a particular way Noble’s strategy was viewed as favorable towards his own interest knowing that the natives are thoroughly acquainted with the island’s terrain better than the military’s elite troops. And especially because they can multiply five times their original number with new recruits from among the mountain people. (Tulfo; 2006)
During that time, the Higaunon tribe was threatened. They were left with no choice but to join the movement in order to save the lives of their wives, children and their native land. The tranquil, nonviolent character of Naabat was shattered at the time when tribes people also took part in Noble’s coup attempt.
The Higaunons were deceived by their own emotions inside their own territory all just because of the outlanders’ destructive action. It’s a tragic fact that the Higaunons, who were not directly involved in the said conflict but merely “victims of war” because Noble’s chosen battlefield happened to their home, were the ones who suffered the most from the ravages of war. Not to mention the many people who have died from the “katangkawan” (mass killing). Furthermore, they also lost the very sources of their livelihood, like the rivers, trees, wild animals, their lands. Their indigenous houses were even demolished.
This “katangkawan” even resulted to the devastation of their communal farms and fields because of the onslaught of wild animals and pests. This came to a point that even bizarre things happened, like frogs eating the plants and vegetation. According to the tribal elders, this occurrence signifies an “evil and sick place.”
Consequently, the elders were left with no choice but to curse Naabat not to be inhabited and could never become a fruitful and blessed “baryo” again. Pain and fear prevailed in the atmosphere that anytime soon the same hostilities could happen in their area. The tribe people had no other choice but to leave behind the life they had lived in Naabat since they could not rely on its resources anymore. They had to look for a greener pasture and thus leave Naabat. Hence, the disruption of Naabat gaop.
Before, there used to be 40 to 50 Higaunon families living in Naabat. But today, only three households band together to face the odds of survival. Since then, these three vulnerable households continue their struggle with life in the cursed place that is Naabat.
After more than 15 years, at about the time when Mindanao Higaunon Cumadon (MIHICU) had just been formalized, the Higaunon tribe led by their datus went back to Naabat to heal their painful past and build a new future, thus the carrying out of the “Naabat Katangkawan Poghaon Singampo.” The initiative is part of MIHICU’s objective of strengthening the ties among Higaunon families, enlivening of their natural livelihood and support to the movement of accounting their territories and ancestral domain boundaries. The initial activity in Naabat was also a demonstration of the tribe’s indigenous edict that whichever gaop becomes helpless and at risk, must be given immediate assistance, particularly on the spiritual aspect, like performing rituals. Emphasis is also given on resolving conflicts.
After the recently concluded singampo (prayer ritual), there will be follow through activities for Naabat which would focus more on building the new Naabat community, gaop strengthening and on the technical assistance in organizing their land settlement. This endeavor of the Higaunon tribe would be together with the MIHICU support group where RCED is a part of as the lead secretariat.
Historically, Naabat is part of Brgy. Hagpa, that’s why at the moment it is presently applying to be counted as part of the ancestral domain for CADT 054 in Barangay Hagpa, Impasugong, Bukidnon.