DILG orders local officials in Kalinga to activate barangay peace committees amid Butbut-Tulgao armed clashes

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Kalinga has ordered local officials to activate barangay peace and order committees and mobilize barangay tanods to help prevent further violence amid continuing armed clashes between the Butbut and Tulgao tribes in Tinglayan.

In a memorandum dated September 17, DILG-Kalinga Provincial Director Engr. Mayer Max G. Adong directed all city and municipal mayors to strengthen peace and security measures in their respective communities.

The directive also requires local government operations officers to monitor compliance and report their findings to the DILG provincial office. Mayors were instructed to coordinate with Philippine National Police stations and ensure that all measures comply with existing laws and protocols.

The order followed a September 16 memorandum from Kalinga Governor James S. Edduba, issued after a shooting incident on September 15 reportedly disrupted the peace agreement between the two tribes.

Edduba directed mayors to enforce local ordinances on preventing and resolving tribal conflicts and strictly observe the Matagoan Zone, where activities that could aggravate tensions and threaten public safety are prohibited.

He also called for coordinated action among government agencies, barangay officials, tribal elders, Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and law enforcement agencies to prevent retaliation, displacement and further threats to residents.

The renewed hostilities have disrupted efforts to settle the long-standing boundary dispute between the Butbut and Tulgao tribes. Although tribal leaders agreed to a temporary ceasefire during a peace dialogue on July 30 at the 503rd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Tabuk City, fighting reportedly resumed in September.

As a precaution, the Tinglayan municipal government issued a public safety advisory on September 16 urging tourists, tour operators and visitors to avoid 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.

The two memoranda were discussed during the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting chaired by Edduba on October 19, where officials and security forces reviewed developments and measures to restore peace.

During the meeting, Lt. Col. Jimrhic B. Obias, commander of the 103rd Infantry “Mabalasik” Battalion, reported more than 103 days of continuous security deployment and assistance, 10 peace dialogues and numerous small-group meetings aimed at ending the conflict. His presentation also cited three civilian deaths.

Meanwhile, newly assigned Kalinga Provincial Police Office Officer-in-Charge Police Col. Peter Ngabit Jr. presented updates on police efforts to address the situation.

The meeting was attended by Rep. Caroline Agyao, Board Member Emilio T. Kitongan, Tinglayan Mayor Charles A. Abay and heads of concerned government agencies, among others.

Authorities emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to prevent further violence and help affected communities return to normal life.