Mayor Abay, PRO-CAR deputy chief meet cops deployed in Tinglayan

TINGLAYAN, Kalinga — Tinglayan Mayor Charles Abay and Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-CAR) Deputy Regional Director for Operations PCOL Froilan B. Lopez met with police personnel deployed in the conflict-affected communities of Tinglayan on September 28, as security forces continued efforts to prevent further escalation of the Butbut-Tulgao conflict.

Lopez, together with Abay, conducted a meeting and Talk-to-Men with police personnel stationed at Sitio Tabrak, Barangay Tulgao East, to assess the security situation and provide operational guidance to the deployed forces.

The activity was attended by personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) PRO-CAR led by PLTCOL Joey Jonathan B. Bagayao, the 2nd Kalinga Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd KPMFC) led by PLTCOL Salvador B. Tangdol, and the Tinglayan Municipal Police Station headed by Acting Chief of Police PMAJ John Vladimir C. Bawer.

Lopez emphasized vigilance, discipline and professionalism among the personnel as they carry out their duties in the affected communities.

Abay, for his part, expressed the full support and commitment of the Tinglayan municipal government to the deployed police forces, particularly in maintaining peace and security and protecting residents amid the continuing tensions.

72 police deployed after renewed gunfire

The meeting came days after PRO-CAR deployed 72 police personnel to Tinglayan following reports of continuing gunfire between the Butbut and Tulgao communities early morning of September 22.

According to earlier reports, the deployment was ordered under PRO-CAR Regional Director PBGen Noel B. Vallo and consisted of 48 personnel from RMFB 15 and 24 from the Mountain Province Provincial Mobile Force Company.

The deployment was intended to strengthen security in affected communities, prevent further violence and protect residents and their properties. Police personnel have also been conducting heightened visibility patrols, Oplan Bandillo and community engagement while coordinating with local officials and tribal leaders.

The latest meeting between Abay and Lopez underscores the continued coordination between the Tinglayan LGU and security forces on the ground, as authorities work to maintain public safety while efforts toward dialogue and de-escalation continue.