Insurgency threats cleared: Kalinga to be declared under State of Stable Internal Peace and Security

Tabuk City, Kalinga – After the 103rd Infantry Battalion reported last week that the peace and order situation in the province has significantly improved following sustained anti-insurgency efforts, preparations are now underway to declare Kalinga under a State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SSIPS) in the first week of May 2026.

To recall, Lieutenant Colonel Jimrhic Obias, Commanding Officer of the 103rd Infantry Battalion, announced during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting on March 30 that insurgency is “no longer a viable threat in the province.”

This comes after the arrests and surrenders of rebels who once operated in the province and the dismantling of WKHG Baggas.

Following the report, Governor James Edduba, who chairs the PPOC, has endorsed a recommendation to place the province under SSIPS.

SSIPS is a status granted to areas that have cleared insurgency threats and are capable of sustaining peace and order through governance, law enforcement, and community support.

In an update to the governor’s request, 103rd IB officers shared during the Management Committee (MANCOM) meeting on April 6 that a series of resolutions are now being prepared to formalize the declaration.

The process will begin with an endorsement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), certifying that the province has met the required parameters. This will be followed by a joint resolution from the PPOC and another from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, headed by Vice Governor Dave Odiem.

A task force has also been created to oversee the preparations.

During the discussions, Provincial Human Resource Management Officer (PHRMO) Grace Kidang-Flores raised concerns about the potential impact of declaring Kalinga insurgency-free, particularly on government assistance under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

She also asked about the pros and cons of the declaration.

“Ano magiging advantage and disadvantage if Kalinga is declared insurgency-free? Hindi kaya hindi na tayo mabibigyan ng ELCAC projects if we declare that we are insurgency-free, or okay lang na wala nang ELCAC but there are alternative aids?” Flores asked.

Responding to this, Captain Jerobin Detalo said the NTF-ELCAC will focus on sustainability, rehabilitation, and development to prevent the resurgence of communist influence.

On the question of advantages and disadvantages, Detalo said a stable environment could boost tourism as more visitors and investors would be encouraged to enter the province.

“Unang-una po ma’am, pag nag-declare tayo na insurgency-free, more investors dito sa atin. Maraming investors na may kapanatagan na pumasok dito sa area natin,” he explained.