KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato — Renewed armed clashes between government forces and unidentified gunmen on Monday, April 27, have reignited tensions along the volatile boundary of Barangay Malinan in Kidapawan City and Barangay Estado in Matalam, North Cotabato—an area long plagued by a deeply rooted land conflict.
Residents reported hearing successive bursts of gunfire as early as 9:00 a.m. in Purok Mangga, Barangay Malinan, after a joint team from the Kidapawan City Police Station and the 72nd Infantry Battalion (IB) responded to intelligence reports about the presence of around 15 armed individuals forcibly extracting “rubber caplum” from a privately owned plantation.
Upon arrival at the palm oil plantation—reportedly owned by the late Retired Colonel Songcaya—the responding forces were allegedly met with gunfire from the suspects, triggering a brief but intense exchange of shots. Authorities said the armed group fled shortly after, retreating toward Barangay Estado in the neighboring town of Matalam.
The encounter did not end there.
By evening, renewed gunfire echoed across Barangay Estado, alarming nearby communities and raising fears of a prolonged confrontation. While no casualties have been officially confirmed as of this writing, the sound of sustained gunfire sent residents scrambling for safety, many choosing to remain indoors as advised by authorities.
Security forces have since been placed on heightened alert, with both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducting clearing operations to secure the area and prevent further escalation.
The latest violence has once again spotlighted the long-standing land dispute straddling the Kidapawan-Matalam boundary. The contested area has been a flashpoint for armed confrontations involving various groups over the years.
In November 2025, at least seven individuals were killed in the same area, including members reportedly linked to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), underscoring the volatile mix of land ownership issues and armed presence.
Monday’s clash has rekindled trauma among residents, many of whom had previously experienced mass displacement during earlier outbreaks of violence. Community members now fear another cycle of evacuation if hostilities persist.
Authorities continue to urge civilians to avoid the conflict zone and to remain vigilant as operations are underway to restore order.
The situation remains fluid.