Butbut and Betwagan tribes extend ceasefire for two months

Tinglayan, Kalinga — With no final agreement yet on the sipat, the Butbut and Betwagan tribes have agreed to extend their ceasefire for another two months, committing to refrain from any hostilities or armed conflict during the period.

The Butbut tribe of Tinglayan, Kalinga, and the Betwagan tribe of Sadanga, Mountain Province first signed a ceasefire agreement during a gathering of the two tribes hosted by the Tongrayan community in Poblacion on September 27, 2025.

The agreement bound both parties to avoid hostilities, armed conflict, violence, retaliation, and threats while working toward a sipat, considered the first step toward permanent peace. It also prohibits armed mobilization, specifying that there should be no presence of armed individuals within or near tribal territories for purposes of intimidation or provocation. Another provision requires the surrender of individuals proven to have violated the terms of the agreement.

On December 12—two weeks after the initial truce expired on November 27—elders and leaders of both tribes simultaneously convened in Barangay Betwagan and Barangay Bugnay to formally execute the extension of the ceasefire.

Mayor Charles Abay and the Local Government Unit of Tinglayan, which has served as a neutral party and facilitator in the negotiations, welcomed the development and commended both groups for their cooperation, openness, and commitment to peace.

“Daytoy nga extension iti ceasefire dagiti kakabsat tayo nga taga-Butbut ken Betwagan ket mangipakita iti responsible leadership, mutual respect, ken strong political will ti dua a partido. Adda ti LGU Tinglayan nga agtultuloy a sumusuporta aginggana maabot ken maipundar ti permanente nga talna iti nagbaetan dagiti tribu,” Abay said.