103 days, 10 peace talks fail to stop tribal war; Kalinga task force eyed to end gun violence, pursue lasting peace

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A proposed Provincial Task Force to End Tribal Armed Conflict in Kalinga could strengthen efforts to stop armed hostilities between the Butbut and Tulgao tribes and address other tribal disputes in the province through a coordinated, community-wide approach.

Lt. Col. Jimric Obias, commander of the 103rd Infantry Battalion (103IB), recommended the formation of the task force during the special Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting in Tabuk City on October 19, 2026, as authorities continued to grapple with the Butbut-Tulgao conflict despite months of security operations and peace initiatives.

Obias reported that security forces had maintained more than 103 days of continuous deployment and security assistance in conflict-affected areas and had accompanied 10 peace dialogues, along with numerous small-group meetings, in efforts to end the hostilities.

“All in all, more than 103 days of continuous deployment and security assistance in the tribal conflict-affected area. Ten peace dialogues and numerous small-group meetings na hindi na namin mabilang na sinamahan namin para lang matapos na ’to,” Obias said.

Despite these efforts, armed confrontations have continued, with three civilian deaths reported in the battalion commander's presentation.

Obias emphasized that the proposed task force should specifically address armed tribal conflict, with the goal of ending the use of guns to settle disputes. He said the initiative should bring government agencies and other stakeholders together as a team to pursue a whole-of-community approach.

Beyond stopping armed hostilities, the proposed task force would also address the social and economic dimensions of tribal conflicts, recognizing that lasting peace requires interventions that go beyond security operations and negotiations.

The proposed mechanism would not be limited to the Butbut and Tulgao dispute but would also cover other tribes experiencing armed conflict in Kalinga.

Meanwhile, a representative of the KARSA religious group expressed the group's willingness to help in negotiations, offering additional support for efforts to bring the opposing parties to the negotiating table and find a peaceful settlement.

The special PPOC meeting, led by Governor James S. Edduba at the New Gymnasium Conference Hall in Capitol Hills, Bulanao, brought together provincial officials and concerned agencies to discuss the province's peace and order situation and possible ways to address the continuing conflict.

The proposed task force, together with the willingness of the religious group to assist in negotiations, offers another avenue for strengthening dialogue and coordination toward ending armed tribal disputes and restoring lasting peace in affected communities.