COTABATO — A Moro commander and six of his men were killed while another survived a pre-dawn gun attack in Barangay Malinan, Kidapawan City on Monday, November 24, in what relatives of the victims have condemned as a “massacre” amid a land dispute that has long gripped the Kidapawan–Matalam boundary.
The attack occurred at around 5:50 a.m. as the group stayed in an area near the boundary of Barangay Estado in Matalam and Barangay Malinan in Kidapawan, zones repeatedly shaken by gunfire and armed occupation over the past months.
Authorities from the Cotabato Police Provincial Office, Matalam Municipal Police, Kidapawan City Police, troops of the Army’s 602nd Brigade, the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities–Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (CCCH–AHJAG), and Muslim community elders rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the shooting.
7 Fatalities Identified
The slain were identified as:
- Salindato Edris Langalen, alleged MILF commander
- Sammy Baraguir
- Marudin Baraguir
- Nasrudin Baraguir
- Nasrodin Amelil
- Mohaimen Amelil
- Mastura Edris Kusain – who died in the hospital hours after the incident
A lone survivor, whose identity was withheld for security reasons, told investigators he could not identify the gunmen who opened fire on them. Authorities have asked him to immediately report if he recognizes any of the attackers.
Relatives said the slain men were originally residents of Cotabato City and had settled in Malinan on August 8, purportedly to assert land claims over the disputed farmland.
In accordance with Islamic rites, the victims were buried immediately by their families Monday afternoon.
Authorities Probe Possible Motives
Investigators have yet to determine the motive behind the attack, though officials acknowledge that the incident is directly connected to the worsening, months-long land conflict between armed Moro factions and local claimants in the boundary of Malinan and Estado.
The area has been the subject of overlapping claims involving more than 150 hectares of farmland planted to sugarcane, corn, and palm oil.
Part of a Larger Pattern of Escalating Violence
Monday’s killings follow a pattern of rising hostilities in Estado and Malinan:
- November 24 (morning): Heavy gunfire rattled Barangay Estado around 7:00 a.m., forcing 20 families from Sitio Tuburan to flee to the barangay covered court.
- October 31: Gunfire in Sitio Tuburan displaced 14 families from Estado.
- October 14: Clashes in Malinan forced the evacuation of 124 families from five puroks.
Residents say armed groups have repeatedly crossed into Estado, occupied farmlands, harvested crops that were not theirs, and stolen livestock and equipment. Some 100 armed men have reportedly stayed in the area since mid-year, refusing to withdraw despite several dialogues facilitated by Kidapawan City Police, the 72nd Infantry Battalion, and the 40th Infantry Battalion.
The group previously identified in negotiations was led by a certain Commander Abdullah Imbong, who locals believe is linked to the same armed men asserting land ownership. Authorities have clarified that this group is not affiliated with the MILF or MNLF.
Displacement and Fear Among Civilians
Matalam Mayor’s Office reported that more than 30 families fled Sitio Tuburan on Monday following the deadly encounter. Residents of both Estado and Malinan continue to hear intermittent gunfire, prompting fears that renewed fighting could escalate.
At least two schools, including Estado Elementary School, suspended classes due to the repeated gunfire.
602nd Brigade Deploys Peacekeeping Team
Army Brig. Gen. Ricky Bunayog, commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, said they deployed a peacekeeping contingent from the 40th Infantry Battalion to stabilize the area and assist local officials and Moro elders in restoring calm.
However, residents remain frustrated, saying the government has failed to act decisively despite months of unrest.
“They’ve taken our harvests, our lands, our animals—but nothing is being done. Until now, kami pa rin ang nangangamba,” a resident said.
Families Demand Justice
Relatives of the slain commander and his men insist the seven were “massacred,” and are appealing for justice as the Cotabato Police Provincial Office vows to identify the attackers.
Authorities have called on anyone with knowledge of the gunmen to come forward, while Muslim community leaders are coordinating with the police and military to prevent retaliatory violence.