“Nu panpanunuten ti bumales tapnu makaala hustisya… maymayaten nga ipagna ta korte”: Tanudan mayor urges Butbut, Tulgao tribes to end revenge killings

TANUDAN, Kalinga — Mayor Jaedicke Rhoss Dagadag has called on the warring Butbut and Tulgao tribes to end armed hostilities and pursue justice through the courts, warning that retaliatory killings will only lead to more casualties and prolong the conflict.

Dagadag made the appeal amid continuing tensions between the two tribes, whose three-month conflict had claimed three lives as of October 21, 2026.

He said avenging fallen tribesmen would not resolve the dispute, as further retaliation could result in more deaths on both sides and disrupt the lives of affected communities, particularly children whose schooling has been affected by the conflict.

“Nu panpanunuten ta ti bumales tapnu makaala ta hustisya ket maymayaten a nga ipagna ta korte ta parehas met nga makaala ta ti hustisya bareng sumardeng pay diay nairugi nga conflict. Ken nu agbibinnales ken aggin-innala iti biyag ket haan na met mapasardeng iti conflict, ket kakaasi dagitoy ubbing tayo nga saan da makauskwela nga ustu,” he said.

Dagadag stressed that justice could be achieved without further endangering lives if both tribes cooperated and allowed the law to take its course.

He also expressed willingness to extend assistance within his capacity, adding that Tanudan elders were ready to help if needed.

During the emergency meeting of the Kalinga Provincial Peace and Order Council on October 19, police said they would prioritize checkpoints, patrols, and preventive security measures to avert further casualties amid continuing tensions.

Kalinga Bodong Council of Elders Chairman Johnny Maymaya likewise called for sustained peace dialogues between the Butbut and Tulgao tribes to restore their severed ties and prevent further bloodshed.

Dagadag joined the appeals for dialogue and reconciliation, urging both sides to abandon retaliation and work toward restoring peace and order in their communities.