Kalinga not yet ‘insurgency-free’ — Army

BAGUIO CITY — According to an official of the Philippine Army (PA), the province of Kalinga is the remaining province in the Cordillera Region that is not yet "insurgency-free."

501st Infantry "Valiant" Brigade (IBPA) Brigadier General Dean Mark Mamaril mentioned that recent encounters have occurred between government forces and members of the New People’s Army (NPA). He said such clashes are currently the focus of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly the PA.

On November 21, 2025, government forces encountered an estimated 15 NPA rebels believed to belong to Platoon Dos of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) in Bayao, Pinukpok, Kalinga. The skirmish was followed by another three gunfights in the same municipality. On November 23, 2025, an NPA fighter was reportedly killed, while one government soldier was wounded.

Government troopers are conducting pursuit operations against the rebels.

Mamaril affirmed that internal security operations are ongoing to ensure the safety of Kalinga's residents. He expressed hope that the remaining rebels will surrender and rejoin the government, enabling Kalinga to be declared insurgency-free, similar to Benguet, which was recently declared as such. He emphasized that this status will further boost Kalinga's economy and improve its image. Following Benguet, Mamaril revealed that Abra is expected to be declared insurgency-free by December 2025.