ALABEL, Sarangani Province — A long-standing alleged land dispute turned deadly after a 49-year-old farmer and military-recognized Bagani was shot and killed by his own nephew in a remote village in Alabel, Sarangani, prompting an intensified manhunt by authorities.
The fatal shooting occurred at around 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, in Purok 2, Sulo, Ulo Latian, Barangay Datal Anggas, according to the Alabel Municipal Police Station (MPS).
The victim was identified as Ricky Catalan, 49, a farmer and a recognized Bagani, while the suspect was identified as his 31-year-old nephew, alias Jimmy, who is likewise a farmer and a resident of the same barangay.
Victim was repairing water source when attacked
Police Lieutenant Ronald Guyos, Deputy Station Commander of the Alabel MPS, said the police received a call at around 10:30 a.m. from a barangay official reporting a shooting incident in the village.
Responding police officers immediately proceeded to the scene but found Catalan already lifeless. His body had already been covered with a blanket by residents by the time authorities arrived.
Initial police investigation revealed that Catalan had gone to repair a community spring after residents noticed that water had stopped flowing from the source. While fixing the damaged spring, he was allegedly ambushed and shot by the suspect using a homemade 12-gauge shotgun.
The victim sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the right side of his chest and his back near the waist, causing his instantaneous death.
Land conflict emerges as primary motive
Investigators said that an ongoing land conflict between the victim and the suspect has emerged as the primary motive behind the killing.
Authorities are still determining the full circumstances surrounding the dispute, but police believe the conflict over property ownership had escalated into violence.
The case also underscores how unresolved land disputes remain a persistent source of deadly violence in some rural communities, particularly in areas where family members become entangled in competing claims over inherited or occupied land.
Suspect fled to the mountains
Immediately after the shooting, the suspect reportedly fled toward the nearby mountainous area and remains at large.
Personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) responded to the incident and have since launched a hot pursuit operation to locate and arrest the suspect.
Police assured the victim’s family that operations will continue until the suspect is apprehended and charged before the courts.
Authorities seek justice
Investigators are now gathering witness statements and additional evidence to strengthen the criminal case against the suspect.
The Alabel Municipal Police Station urged anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts to immediately coordinate with the nearest police station.
The killing highlights the deadly consequences of unresolved land disputes, particularly when conflicts involve close relatives, and underscores the continuing need for effective land conflict resolution mechanisms to prevent similar tragedies from claiming more lives.