"Insurgency no longer a threat in Kalinga" - 103rd Infantry Battalion

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Insurgency in Kalinga is “no longer considered a viable threat” after the several number of arrests and surrenders of rebels who once operated in the province, according to Lt. Col. Jimrhic B. Obias.

Obias, Commanding Officer of the 103rd Infantry Battalion, said the accomplishments that led to wiping out the threats were made possible through sustained cooperation among the military, police, communities, families, concerned agencies, and local government units.

During his report at a joint meeting led by the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of Kalinga on March 30 in Bulanao, Tabuk City, the military official recalled that the province once had around 50 members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in 2015.

Through years of sustained operations and community cooperation, that number significantly decreased to only 16 by mid-2025.

Many of those who remained had reportedly resorted to criminal activities, with 11 identified as being from Kalinga.

A major turning point came in 2025 with the dismantling of WKHG Baggas, as validated by evaluation teams from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Operations continued into 2026 following a series of armed clashes between government troops and rebels in Barangays Bayao and Allaguia in Pinukpuk from November 21 to 25, which resulted in the recovery of high-powered firearms, ammunition, and other war materiel.

One rebel was killed, while several soldiers were wounded during these encounters.

On March 11, intelligence-driven operations led to the arrest of 10 NPA members facing various criminal charges. Two high-ranking officials also chose to surrender voluntarily and were provided assistance for their reintegration into society.

With these developments, Obias noted that all remaining active NPA members in Kalinga have been accounted for, having either surrendered, been apprehended, or neutralized through government operations.

At present, “there are no active guerrilla fronts, no affected barangays, and no organized armed capability.”

Barangays that have been cleared include Ab-abaan, Balbalasang, Ballayangon, Dao-angan, Gawaan, Pantikian, Poswoy, Talalang, Mabaca, Maling, and Tawang in Balbalan; Ammacian, Apatan, Asibanglan, Ba-ay, Limos, and Wagud in Pinukpuk; Bagtayan, Balatoc, Colayo, Galdang, and Guina-ang in Pasil; Tanglag, Upper Uma, Western Uma, and Lower Uma in Lubuagan; Upper Taloctoc in Tanudan; and Dupag in Tabuk City.

The list was based on Obias’ presentation, which was noted to have been validated by the AFP-PNP joint evaluation committee.

Notably, the 103rd Infantry Battalion commanding officer said no organized activities were observed in Kalinga during the 57th anniversary of the communist movement.

Following the report, the PPOC, chaired by Governor James S. Edduba, has endorsed a recommendation to declare the province under a State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SSIPS) this March.