“They were able to stop diay panagam-ambush da idiay…Ti dakes na gamin daytoy, dagidiay ubbing ket ma-trauma da’ — Gov. Edduba thanks PNP, Army for containing Tulgao-Butbut tribal conflict

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Governor James S. Edduba thanked police and military personnel for containing renewed violence between the Butbut and Tulgao tribes in Tinglayan, saying their efforts are not only protecting communities but also helping shield children from the trauma of witnessing armed clashes.

Speaking during the Provincial Government of Kalinga’s Inter-Agency Flag-Raising Ceremony on October 5 at the Kalinga Sports Center in Bulanao, Edduba said the continued deployment of peacekeeping forces has helped prevent the conflict from affecting the wider province.

He said the conflict may appear to be limited to the Butbut and Tulgao communities, but warned that continued escalation could disrupt peace and stability across Kalinga.

“Ammok nga... siguru ti kunkunan tayo ket confined lang met ti tribu ti Tulgao ken Butbut ket ngem actually nu nag-escalate nga permi daytoy ket, nu awan dagiti trabaho ti police ken dagiti peace keeping force tayo ket naistorbo metlang ti probinsya tayo nga Kalinga, so thank you... ti PNP,” Edduba said.

Recent clashes between the two tribes prompted the deployment of additional police personnel to Tinglayan to conduct visibility patrols, coordinate with local officials and tribal elders, and help prevent retaliation and further violence.

Edduba said preparations had already been made before he left the country for an official engagement in Italy.

He recalled meeting with the Provincial Peace and Order Council, universities, the Department of Education, police, Philippine Army and Department of the Interior and Local Government to discuss possible developments and prepare for scenarios that could arise from the conflict.

Following these preparations, additional police personnel and mobile forces were deployed to the area upon the direction of the regional police leadership.

Edduba said the presence of the security forces helped prevent further attacks between the groups.

“Hopefully, adda met dagiti kapulisan tayo idiay and they were able to stop diay panagam-ambush da idiay dagiti tribu nga haan da maanawaan nga agputok-putok latta,” he said.

But beyond the security situation, Edduba said he was particularly worried about the children who have been exposed to the violence.

He said the impact of the conflict on children could extend beyond the immediate danger posed by gunfire.

“Ti dakes na gamin daytoy, dagidiay ubbing ket ma-trauma da,” Edduba said.

He recalled seeing videos showing children reacting in fear whenever gunfire erupted in their communities.

“Nakita yu kuma dagidiay video nga nu adda putok ket adda piman dagiti ubbing nga aglelemmaeng da, ket dakkel nga banag ngay daytoy,” he said.

For Edduba, the fear experienced by children is an often-unseen consequence of the conflict, making the work of security forces in preventing further escalation even more important.

He acknowledged that the public may not always see the extent of the work being carried out by police and military personnel on the ground but expressed gratitude for their efforts to contain the situation.

“Diyay ti haan ammo ti tao but we are so thankful nga kastoy ti naaramid ti pulis—they maintained, na-control and managed diay situation,” he said.

Edduba also thanked PNP Kalinga Provincial Director Col. Gilbert Fatiig, who is set to retire on October 9, for his service to the province, and welcomed the incoming PENRO.

He likewise expressed appreciation to Vice Governor Dave Odiem for taking over the provincial government’s leadership while he was in Italy.

The governor reiterated his gratitude to the police and military personnel deployed in Tinglayan, emphasizing that their continued presence remains crucial in maintaining stability while efforts to resolve the conflict and restore lasting peace among the affected communities continue.