“As the father of the town, I want peace. Amin ket padapada”: Mayor Abay says Butbut-Tulgao conflict brings pain to all of Tinglayan and needs to be resolved

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Butbut-Tulgao tribal conflict is not just a dispute between two tribes but a crisis affecting the entire municipality, Tinglayan Mayor Charles Abay said as he stressed his commitment to serve both sides fairly amid accusations of favoritism.

Speaking during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting at the Provincial Capitol on Monday, October 19, Abay said his family roots should not be taken as a basis for judging his position in the conflict.

His father belongs to the Tulgao tribe, while his mother is from Lubuagan. However, the mayor emphasized that his responsibility extends to all residents of Tinglayan, regardless of their tribal affiliation.

“I was born in Tinglayan and I was raised there in Tinglayan, and my house is in Tinglayan,” Abay said. “As father of the municipality, I want peace. Amin ket padapada… Awan ti panpanigak nga tribu,” he added, stressing that he treats the tribes equally and does not favor either side.

Abay’s statement comes as the long-standing boundary dispute between the Butbut and Tulgao tribes continues to threaten peace and disrupt daily life in the municipality.

The two sides reached a temporary ceasefire agreement on July 30 during a peace dialogue at the 503rd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Tabuk City. The agreement was intended to give tribal elders, local officials and mediators time to work toward a lasting settlement.

Hostilities resumed in September, prompting the Tinglayan local government to impose temporary travel restrictions in seven barangays: Tulgao East, Tulgao West, Loccong, Ngibat, Proper Butbut, Bugnay and Buscalan. Schools in affected areas also shifted to modular distance learning to protect students and teachers from possible crossfire.

During the PPOC meeting, chaired by Governor James S. Edduba, Lt. Col. Jimrhic B. Obias, commander of the 103rd Infantry “Mabalasik” Battalion, reported that three civilians had died as a result of the violence.

The reported deaths underscore the human cost of the continuing conflict, which has consequences beyond the communities directly involved, affecting residents’ safety, mobility, education and the municipality’s efforts to maintain peace.

With the dispute still unresolved, Abay reiterated that his duty is to the whole municipality—not to one tribe over another—as local officials, security forces, elders and other stakeholders continue efforts to restore peace.