‘132 police, military personnel stay put in 7 areas to contain Butbut-Tulgao conflict’ -  PCol. Fati-ig says ground presence remains as investigations, peace efforts continue

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A total of 132 police and military personnel have been deployed across conflict-affected areas in Tinglayan, Kalinga, as authorities sustain their efforts to prevent possible escalation of hostilities between the Butbut and Tulgao tribes.

Kalinga Police Provincial Director PCol. Gilbert Fati-ig said the security deployment is intended to maintain peace on the ground while authorities investigate recent incidents and continue efforts to keep the two tribes from returning to open conflict.

Fati-ig gave the update during the Kapehan meeting on October 5 at the New Conference Hall, saying the deployed forces include personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB), 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), 2nd PMFC, and the 103rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army under the 51st Infantry Division.

The deployment also includes 19 police personnel from Butbut and 24 from Tulgao, bringing the total number of police and military personnel currently positioned in the affected areas to 132.

The forces have been prepositioned in seven areas, with an advance command post established to strengthen coordination and response.

Police personnel have been stationed at Loccong, particularly at entry and exit points, as well as in Proper Butbut along the route leading toward the irrigation area.

Other areas covered by the deployment are Tulgao East, Tulgao West, Ngibat, Bugnay and Buscalan.

Security presence prioritized over marijuana operation

Fati-ig said police are currently conducting prophylactic patrols instead of proceeding with a planned marijuana eradication operation because of intermittent gunfire in the area.

“So itong mga kapulisanan na nandon ngayon, they are conducting prophylactic patrolling because the original plan was to conduct marijuana eradication. So hindi na natuloy yung marijuana eradication because of what had happened na itong intermittent firing,” Fatiig said.

He said the eradication operation will resume once officers on the ground assess the situation as safe.

The decision reflects the priority given to securing communities amid the continuing tension between the two tribes.

Investigations continue amid security deployment

While security forces maintain their presence, police investigators and Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) personnel have repeatedly entered Butbut and Tulgao to gather evidence related to recent incidents.

Fati-ig said witnesses were at the Kalinga Police Provincial Office on October 5 to give statements in preparation for the filing of cases before the prosecutor’s office.

“Today, andun po yung mga witnesses natin sa KPPO at dun sila sa opisina ng legal office for yung taking up of short statement prior sa pag-reform natin sa piskalya,” he said.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will also assist the PNP in the filing of cases before the prosecutor’s office.

Fati-ig said security will be provided to investigators as they conduct their activities.

“Of course, we will be providing security to them while they will be conducting their actions,” Fatiig said.

Deployment extended toward Buscalan

The security presence has also been extended toward Buscalan, including the route leading to the community of renowned mambabatok Apo Whang-od.

Fati-ig said an advance command post has been established in the area, while additional personnel from Bangad were deployed to reinforce the Buscalan checkpoint.

The intensified deployment follows the renewed hostilities that disrupted the 90-day ceasefire signed by the Butbut and Tulgao tribes on July 30, 2026, which sought to halt fighting stemming from their longstanding boundary dispute.

Police had earlier reinforced Tinglayan with 72 additional personnel following renewed exchanges of gunfire in September.

The conflict has affected several communities in Tinglayan, prompting authorities to previously impose travel restrictions covering Tulgao East, Tulgao West, Loccong, Ngibat, Proper Butbut, Bugnay and Buscalan.

Schools in affected areas have also adopted alternative or remote learning arrangements as a precaution.

For now, authorities continue to maintain a visible security presence while pursuing investigations and supporting efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating further.

The sustained deployment underscores the government’s approach of keeping the affected communities secure while creating space for investigation, dialogue and continuing peace efforts between the Butbut and Tulgao tribes.