INSURGENCY NO MORE: Kalinga declared under State of Stable Internal Peace and Security

Tabuk City, Kalinga – After years of anti-insurgency operations and peace-building efforts in the province, Kalinga was officially declared under the State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SSIPS) on Tuesday, May 12.

Kalinga was granted the status after successfully clearing insurgency threats and being assessed as capable of maintaining peace and order through the cooperation of government agencies, local officials, and communities.

The declaration was supposed to be led by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, but he was unable to attend the event. DILG-CAR Assistant Regional Director Rupert Maribbay Jr. represented him during the ceremony.

The SSIPS declaration followed the report presented by the 103rd Infantry Battalion through Lieutenant Colonel Jimrhic Obias during a meeting on March 30 at Davidson Hotel in Bulanao, Tabuk City, stating that “insurgency is no longer a viable threat in the province.”

Obias recalled that Kalinga once had around 50 members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in 2015. Through years of sustained military operations and community cooperation, the number significantly dropped to only 16 by mid-2025.

In 2025, WKHG Baggas was dismantled, 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, resulting in the recovery of high-powered firearms, ammunition, and other war materiel.

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

With these developments, Obias noted that all remaining active NPA members in Kalinga had already been “accounted for,” either through surrender, arrest, or neutralization during government operations.

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

Following the report, Governor James Edduba endorsed the recommendation to declare Kalinga under SSIPS.

Acting on the recommendation, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, headed by Vice Governor Dave Odiem, adopted Resolution No. 2026-203 during its regular session on May 5.

A copy of the resolution obtained by Guru Press Cordillera from Board Member Emilio Kitongan stated that Kalinga had achieved a “generally peaceful and stable condition through effective law enforcement, strengthened community participation, good governance, and sustained peace-building and development efforts.”

The resolution further stated that declaring the province under SSIPS would “strengthen public confidence, socio-economic development, investment opportunities, and the delivery of government services while sustaining peace and security gains in the province.”

The resolution was certified correct by Secretary to the Sanggunian Mathew Matbagan and concurred in by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. It was attested to by Vice Governor Odiem as presiding officer and approved by Governor Edduba.

Copies of the approved resolution were also furnished to the Office of the President, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), Department of the Interior and Local Government, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Provincial Peace and Order Council, and other concerned offices, as reflected in the resolution.

During Tuesday’s ceremony, eight local government units in the province also received plaques recognizing their support and participation in sustaining peace and order in Kalinga.

Among those present during the event were Kalinga Police Provincial Office Director PCOL Gilbert Fati-ig; 103rd IB Commanding Officer LTC Jimrhic Obias; 5th Infantry Division Commander MGEN Gulliver Señires; Police Regional Office-CAR Director PBGEN Ericson Dilag; Northern Luzon Command Deputy Commander BGEN Dean Mark Mamaril; DILG-CAR Director Anthony Nuyda; and local chief executives, among others.