‘…i-turn around tayo kuma daytoy pannaka-ammu ti tao ditoy probinsya tayo nga nu adda mapan ditoy ket haanen nga agsubli,’ – Gov. Edduba underscores

Tabuk City, Kalinga – With stories portraying Kalinga province and its people as violent and fearsome lingering through the years, Governor James S. Edduba addressed the issue during the Kapehan on December 1, 2025, at the Conference Hall in Bulanao. He emphasized plans to finally put an end to these longstanding misconceptions, underscoring that Kalinga has long changed.

Once notorious as “the place of no return,” Kalinga carried a reputation that not only fueled discrimination but also unexpectedly protected its people—for instance, discouraging bullying among students.

“Agtatalna da [classmates] di naamwan da nga taga-Kalinga ak. Kasla mabuteng da gapu ta anya ti narinig da or ammu da nga ti taga-Kalinga ket headhunters—which is historically true ngem siguro gamin ti ammu da ket ipra-practice tayo pay laeng ti headhunting inggana tatta. I’m not offended naman kasi partly true, and somehow, dayta mismo ti gapo nu apay nga safe nak latta ditoy, uray first time ko ditoy Benguet or nu mapanak Baguio. Ibagak lang nga taga-Kalinga ak ket okay na,” shared an iKalinga student from CCDC La Trinidad in an interview.

Speaking before various stakeholders, Edduba discussed the provincial government’s plan to dispel the circulating stories that visitors who come to Kalinga would be headhunted or would never return home.

“Daytoy garud ti plano tayo ti province nga i-turn around tayo kuma daytoy pannaka-ammu ti tao ditoy probinsya tayo nga nu adda kanu mapan ditoy ket haanen nga agsubli ta mapugutan kanu ti ulo. Diyay kunkunada ngay nga kasdiay ket ikkaten tayon kuma diyay. Sabali metten ti ili tayo nga Kalinga tattan,” Edduba said.

The governor added that the province has been significantly progressing due to improved peace and order. He stressed that maintaining this stability is essential and requires the collective effort of every member of the community.

“Ado metten ti nagbaliwan—idi pimmintas ti peace and order tayo, ket santo nga nagpas-pas ti dadanup da ditoy. Isu nga ti number one talaga nga alagaan tayo ditoy ket ti peace and order. We can never have investors come here—we can never have businesses grow here—if we have a problem with peace and order. So daytoy kuma ti pagtitinnulungan tayo amin,” he said.

Meanwhile, in relation to the recent armed encounters that raised public concern, Edduba assured the community that the provincial government, alongside the Philippine Army, remains committed to maintaining peace and security—emphasizing that Kalinga has long become a safer, more welcoming, and steadily progressing community.

The Army and CPP-NPA rebels engaged in a series of gun battles in Bayao and Allaguia, Pinukpuk, from November 21 to 25, resulting in the death of one rebel and the injury of one soldier.

During the Kapehan sa Kapitolyo on December 1, Brigadier General Sandoval reported that two rebels, both from Kalinga, had surrendered and appealed to remaining members to do the same, assuring safe passage and support from the government.

According to a recent report from the 103rd Mabalasik Battalion, around seven active CPP-NPA rebels remain in Kalinga.