Kalinga police to sustain checkpoints, patrols until new ceasefire, talks resolve Butbut-Tulgao conflict; PMaj. George Acob says security operations to continue

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Kalinga Police Provincial Office (KPPO) will sustain checkpoints, patrols and other security operations in areas affected by the Butbut-Tulgao tribal conflict until another ceasefire or negotiation is reached to help resolve the longstanding dispute.

Police Major George Acob said during the Kapehan meeting on October 5 that police presence will be maintained and intensified in strategic areas in Tinglayan and nearby communities while authorities pursue efforts to prevent renewed hostilities.

Acob said the chiefs of police of Tinglayan and Lubuagan, along with personnel of the 2nd Kalinga Provincial Mobile Force Company (KPMC) in Dilakan, will intensify mobile checkpoints.

“Like last time, we will intensify yung mga police presence dito po sa mga entrances ng barangay Ngipat, Buscalan, and also in barangay Tulgao. We will direct also the chiefs of police of Tinglayan, Lubagan, Yung second KPMC natin dito sa Dilakan, to intensify also the mobile checkpoint in order to prevent the movements or the transportation of illegal drugs as well as loose firearms,” he said.

The checkpoints and patrols are aimed at preventing the movement of illegal drugs and loose firearms that could contribute to renewed violence.

Acob said the police will maintain the operations while affected communities and peace stakeholders work toward another agreement.

“So yung lang yung update natin ngayon and we will continue these activities until magkaroon tayo ng another ceasefire or negotiation that will resolve the conflict,” he said.

The security measures follow the breakdown of the three-month ceasefire signed by the Butbut and Tulgao tribes on July 30, 2026, which was intended to halt armed confrontations linked to their longstanding boundary dispute.

Additional police forces from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion and Mountain Province Provincial Mobile Force Company were earlier deployed following renewed fighting reported in September.

Meanwhile, Kalinga Police Provincial Director PCol. Gilbert Fati-ig said police and military personnel have taken over security operations in affected areas, while urging the local peace mechanism to begin its work alongside the security deployment.

Fati-ig cited the experience of the Betwagan-Bognay ceasefire, saying periods of reduced hostilities had also created opportunities for firearms positioned in elevated areas to be brought down.

He said activating the peace committee would help demonstrate to residents that the peace process is moving forward.

“Para hindi gaya ng mga sinasabi ng mga civilian sa Butbut na ‘ayanna, ayanna ngay diay three months ceasefire? Awan met lang ti mangmangyari,’” Fati-ig said.

Police will continue providing security while peace-related activities are undertaken.

At the same time, investigators and Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) personnel continue gathering evidence in Butbut and Tulgao. Witnesses are also being assisted at the KPPO and its Legal Office in preparing statements for possible filing before the prosecutor’s office.

Acob said police operations personnel have also coordinated with authorities and police personnel in Proper Butbut to facilitate the entry of SOCO and other investigators.

Security measures are likewise being maintained in Tabuk City, where Acob said a 24/7 checkpoint is being operated by joint personnel from Tabuk and the 1st KPMC.

Personnel from the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) will also augment police presence and conduct patrols in Nambaran.

“These are the actions being undertaken by the Kalinga PPO in order to prevent the escalations of the conflict in the area of Tabuk,” Acob said.

The continuing deployment comes as authorities pursue both security and peacebuilding measures following the collapse of the July 30 ceasefire.

The broader peace process involves traditional mechanisms such as sipat and the restoration of the bodong, or traditional peace pact, but the underlying boundary dispute remains unresolved.

For now, police will maintain security operations while authorities await another ceasefire, negotiation or peace agreement that could address the roots of the Butbut-Tulgao conflict.