SAN FERNANDO, Bukidnon — The Barangay Council of Dao in San Fernando, Bukidnon has clarified that the reported threat involving an alleged “Magahat” group, which prompted the temporary suspension of classes in several schools, had already been peacefully resolved even before the memorandum circulated on social media.
The issue gained public attention after Barangay Dao issued Memorandum Circular No. 02, Series of 2026, temporarily suspending classes at Dao Integrated School, Kirangel Tughaanan Te Katalonan, and Kawayan Class Extension as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students, teachers, school personnel, and residents following reports of a possible “Magahat” threat.
Historically, the term “Magahat” refers to a customary practice of retaliatory or retributive killing among some Indigenous communities in Bukidnon as an act of vengeance for the death of a family member. Reports circulating at the time claimed that an armed group was allegedly coming from Talaingod, Davao del Norte toward Barangay Dao, raising fears among residents.
However, in a Public Advisory dated July 3, 2026, signed by Barangay Secretary Mercy Alba and attested by Punong Barangay Jezrel S. Bacleran, the Barangay Council emphasized that the reported conflict had already been settled on June 28, 2026 through the intervention of the Office of the Tribal Council-PAMANA, tribal leaders, and barangay officials.
According to the barangay, the controversy stemmed from a personal dispute involving Mary Joy Buansa, a resident of Barangay Dao, and her husband Onesito Panduma of Barangay Lumentao, Quezon, Bukidnon. The issue was further complicated after Kuya Man-aning, a resident of Patel, Talaingod, reportedly extended assistance to Buansa, leading to the unintended inclusion of Talaingod’s name in the memorandum.
Barangay officials admitted that the memorandum was posted after the conflict had already been resolved, resulting in confusion and the spread of misinformation on social media. They stressed that mentioning Talaingod was an unintentional error and should not be interpreted as implicating the municipality or its residents.
“The inclusion of Talaingod in the memorandum was never intended to accuse, blame, or associate the municipality or its people with the incident,” the barangay said in its advisory while extending its sincere apology for any misunderstanding caused by the erroneous information.
The Barangay Council also appealed to the public not to tarnish the reputation of Talaingod, emphasizing that the incident was purely a personal matter and not a conflict involving the entire Indigenous community.
Tribal settlement reached
The barangay disclosed that the dispute was formally resolved through an official “Kasabutan” (Settlement Agreement) facilitated by tribal elders and witnessed by community leaders.
Under the agreement, the parties accepted the following settlement:
- One Rusi motorcycle;
- One live pig;
- ₱10,000 in cash;
- One horse valued at ₱35,000;
- An additional ₱50,000 in cash; and
- One traditional Tangkulo (tribal headdress) valued at ₱10,000.
The agreement was accepted and sealed in the presence of tribal leaders headed by the Datus and Barangay IPMR Alexander M. Dayon of Barangay Lumentao, Quezon, Bukidnon. It was signed by the couple, Mary Joy Buansa and Onesito Panduma, along with Buansa’s mother, Melyn Buansa, and tribal elders as proof that the conflict had been peacefully resolved.
Classes to resume
Barangay officials reiterated that the suspension of classes was imposed solely as a preventive measure to protect students, teachers, school personnel, and residents while authorities assessed the reported threat.
With the conflict now officially settled and peace restored, the Barangay Council announced that all schools under Barangay Dao would resume classes on Monday, July 6, 2026.
The barangay thanked residents for their understanding and continued cooperation, assuring the public that official advisories issued by the Barangay Office are intended solely to safeguard public safety and maintain peace and order in the community.