Butbut (Kalinga) and Betwagan (Mt. Province) tribes enter truce, signs TWO MONTHS ceasefire agreement

Tinglayan, Kalinga – After years of conflict which resulted in loss of life and damage of property, the Butbut and Betwagan tribes entered into a two-month truce to pave way to the establishment of Sipat - the first step to a peace negotiation and permanent peace pact.

The Butbut of Tinglayan, Kalinga and Betwagan of Sadanga, Mountain Province have long been in conflict due to boundary disputes and deaths blamed by both sides. According to former Mayor Johnny Maymaya, one of the leaders of the Kalinga Bodong Council, Butbut and Betwagan first clashed in 2001 because of the killing of an ex-barangay captain. The severed ties was restored in 2007 until 2019 when the two tribes again had encounters.

On September 27, the step towards restoration of peace was made as the two tribes gathered in Poblacion, Tinglayan to discuss the measures to fix their severed ties along with the elders, barangay officials, and the Tinglayan LGU led by Mayor Charles Abay, Sadanga LGU headed by Mayor Robert Wanawan, and Kalinga PLGU spearheaded by Governor James Edduba.

In the one-day event, both Butbut and Betwagan agreed to a truce through the signing of a Ceasefire Agreement while they work to reach the Sipat. The ceasefire is in effect for two months, and shall be terminated thereafter or mutually extended.

The agreement covered the immediate cessation of hostilities, with both tribes desisting from armed conflict, violence, retaliation, and threats. Another is the prohibition of armed mobilization, wherein there should be no presence of armed individuals within or near tribal territories for intimidation or provocation. Another condition written in the agreement is the surrender of individuals proven to have violated the terms in the signed document.

Lastly, the Ceasefire Agreement indicated that both the Butbut and Betwagan tribes recognize the document as a ‘binding interim measure and an expression of good faith’ towards the immediate realization of a formal peace pact.

In an interview with Governor James Edduba, he expressed hope that the agreement will translate into the long sought peace pact that will restore the relationship between the two tribes in order to let development and progress move unhampered.

“Dakkel ti maitulong diay peace pact if it is done, saanen nga agbubuteng dagiti miyembros ti duwa nga tribu nga adda mapasamak ti annak da nga mapan agiskwela or the working ones to be at risk when passing through each other’s territories. Ituloy tayo nga suportaran dagitoy nga initiatives for the betterment of our people,” said Edduba.

Both sides, according to Mayor Abay showed positive attitude towards resolving the longstanding problem and that he and Mayor Wanawan are in constant contact to aid the two tribes until they finally have their peace pact restored.