Butbut–Betwagan ceasefire set to expire on November 27 – KBCE Chairman Maymaya reminds, urging both tribes to extend truce

Tabuk City, Kalinga – With the Butbut–Betwagan ceasefire set to expire on November 27, 2025, the Chairman of the Kalinga Bodong Council of Elders, Johnny Maymaya Sr., called on both tribes to show compassion and Christmas goodwill by extending the truce to prevent renewed conflict.

After years of violence and property loss, the Butbut tribe of Tinglayan and the Betwagan tribe of Sadanga returned to the negotiating table in the third quarter this year, taking their first major step when they agreed to a ceasefire—an opportunity to prepare for a Sipat, a customary Cordillera peace ritual involving a token exchange to halt clashes and start formal dialogue.

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Maymaya said that although a full peace pact has yet to be reached, they hope the ceasefire will be extended, ideally until next year, to allow more time for meaningful discussions.

“So iti irek-rekomenda tayo—siguro awan pay ti kasla panagsubli diay kapya wenno diay peace pact ket bareng nu ma-extend diyay. Ma-extend inggana next year kuma tapnu maikkan ti naan-anay nga tiyempo tapnu agsasarita,” he said.

Maymaya added that the Betwagan tribe is asking the Butbut tribe to recognize the Makliing boundary, while the Butbut tribe seeks the restoration of their peace pact. Once these matters are resolved, he said, both tribes can begin direct talks without a mediator.

The KBCE Chairman also highlighted the leadership and dedication of Tinglayan Mayor Charles Abay and Sadanga Mayor Robert B. Wanawan, who have worked closely to persuade the tribes to embrace goodwill and set aside differences in the spirit of Christmas.

“Nu haan pay nga ma-extend dayta—we hope nga panunuten da kuma dagiti dua nga tribu nga it’s Christmas time. Panunuten tayo kuma nga ti Christmas ket isu ti panangbigbig tayo ti naiyanakan ti Apo. Adda kuma ti ayat, and hopefully ma-extend. Dagitoy dua nga mayors tatta, nakitak piman nga ipapati da ken makita met nga alaen da ti respeto from kakailyan da. So kasdiay ti dawat tayo kuma ta kakailyan tayo dagita—amangan lang nga adda pagkamalian da, isu nga agpapakaasi tayo kuma—uray just in the spirit of Christmas, patenggaan da kuman diyay,” Maymaya added.

Brief background of the tribes’ boundary dispute

The boundary dispute between the Butbut and Betwagan sub-tribes began in 2001. A peace pact temporarily resolved the conflict in 2007, but tensions resurfaced in 2019.

In February 2020, a gunshot incident violated an agreement intended to maintain peace, prompting the Police Regional Office–Cordillera (PRO-COR) to initiate multiple peace talks. However, progress stalled when the Butbut sub-tribe declared several senior police officers persona non grata, accusing them of demolishing a civilian outpost in the disputed area.

Despite challenges, discussions continued. On September 27, 2025, both tribes agreed to proceed with a Sipat in Poblacion, Tinglayan, attended by elders, barangay officials, the Tinglayan LGU led by Mayor Charles Abay, the Sadanga LGU headed by Mayor Robert Wanawan, and the Kalinga PLGU led by Governor James Edduba.