The municipality was created on June 17, 1967, from the former municipal district of the same name, through Republic Act 5161.[6]
Beew massacre
On May 6, 1983, Sitio Beew in Tubo, Abra, was the site of a series of attacks carried out by members of the 623rd Philippine Constabulary (PC), under the command of Captain Berido, Lieutenant Rehaldo Lebua, and Lieutenant Juanito Puyawan. The incident, later referred to as the “Beew Massacre,” involved the burning of four houses and a rice granary. Within the granary were the remains of three villagers, including Barangay Councilman Rodolfo Labawig, Josefina Cayandag—who was pregnant at the time—and her unborn child.[7] Beew residents,including babies and toddlers, were beaten and their houses looted in response to the residents' alleged support of protests against the logging operations of Herminio Disini's Cellophil Resources Corporation in their area.[7]
The residents fled to Sagada where they took refuge in the Church of the St. Mary. There, they were given succor by Fr. Paul Sagayo Jr. until they could finally be aided by Atty Pablo Sanidad of the Free Legal Assistance Group and journalist Isidoro Chammag of the Bulletin Today.[8]:197–198
The government initially denied the occurrence of the incident and filed charges against Chammag in connection with the events. However, the Baguio Press publicly supported Chammag and initiated the “Piso para kay Chammag” campaign to raise funds for his bail. The charges were subsequently dismissed, and the case later came to be regarded as a landmark in Philippine jurisprudence.[8]:197–198
Tubo is situated 60.27 kilometres (37.45mi) from the provincial capital Bangued, and 392.05 kilometres (243.61mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.
Barangays
Tubo is politically subdivided into 10 barangays.[10] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
The inhabitants of Sitio Beew belong to the Maeng tribe and primarily speak the Maeng dialect. One barangay, Tabacda, is distinct in that its residents speak a different dialect, attributed to their origins in Kalinga and Mountain Province. Despite these linguistic differences, all residents are able to understand and communicate in the evolving Maeng dialect, which is also spoken in Luba and parts of Villaviciosa in the Province of Abra. This dialect is likewise shared with communities in neighboring municipalities of Ilocos Sur, where the people identify as members of the Bago tribe.
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood but various industries are starting to grow.
All barangays and their respective sitios do now have dirt roads leading to them but can still become accessible via trails permanently established even during the Spanish era. Electricity is available except in only one barangay and two sitios. The relative nearness of the three barangays of Dilong,Tubtuba and Alangtin to the Province of Ilocos Sur provided them the privilege of being served by ISECO while all others remaining are served by ABRECO.
In the 2020 census, Tubo had a population of 5,674.[18] The population density was 14 inhabitants per square kilometre (36/sqmi).
Tubo, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Abra, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.
The Tubo Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.[28]
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