‘Let’s make 2-month ceasefire the beginning of lasting peace’- Tinglayan Mayor Abay following Butbut and Betwagan renewed truce

TINGLAYAN, Kalinga — Following the renewed truce between the Butbut and Betwagan tribes, Tinglayan Mayor Charles Abay called on both parties, neutral tribes and other stakeholders to use the two-month ceasefire as an opportunity to work toward lasting and meaningful peace.

On September 10, the two tribes signed a two-month Interim Ceasefire and Peace Agreement at Awichon Village in Lubuagan, Kalinga, renewing efforts to end their long-standing conflict.

The agreement prohibits the parties from retaliation, revenge and collective punishment as they work toward a sipat, or traditional peace pact, between the two communities.

Abay welcomed the development, recalling that the Tinglayan LGU and the Tongrayan tribe, where he belongs, hosted the initial signing of a two-month truce between the two parties in September 2025 in Poblacion, Tinglayan.

In a statement sent to GURU Press Cordillera through Municipal Administrator Atty. Mark Dave Bang-as, Abay commended the courage, openness and commitment shown by the Butbut and Betwagan communities during the latest peace dialogue.

He also thanked the local governments of Tinglayan and Sadanga, the Provincial Government of Kalinga, national government agencies, barangay officials and other stakeholders for supporting the peace process.

Abay said the latest agreement is an important step toward restoring the ties between the two communities that have been strained by the conflict.

He appealed to both parties to honor the agreement and exercise restraint while their elders and peace partners work to resolve their differences.

“The two-month ceasefire is an important first step toward lasting peace between our two tribes. I appeal to everyone to respect the agreement, exercise restraint, and give our elders and peace partners the opportunity to resolve our differences through dialogue,” he said.

Abay also urged the conflicting parties, government agencies and other stakeholders to continue working together beyond the two-month truce.

“Let us work together to make this two-month ceasefire the beginning of a lasting and meaningful peace for our communities,” he said.

The renewed ceasefire provides the Butbut and Betwagan communities an opportunity to sustain dialogue and work toward a more permanent resolution of their long-standing conflict.