COTABATO — Fear and frustration gripped communities in Barangay Estado, Matalam, and Barangay Malinan, Kidapawan City on Sunday morning, November 24, as heavy gunfire once again echoed across the boundary—an escalation that residents say could have been prevented had authorities taken stronger action on the long-running land dispute that has plagued the area for months.
At around 7:00 a.m., residents of Barangay Estado were jolted awake by five to ten minutes of intense gunfire, prompting the immediate suspension of classes at Estado Elementary School. As the tension grew, around 20 families from Sitio Tuburan, the sitio located directly along the boundary, evacuated to the barangay covered court for safety.
Locals reported that the armed men—believed to be the same group that has occupied farmlands in Malinan for months—have now crossed deeper into Estado, taking over palm oil and sugarcane fields and harvesting crops belonging to farmers. Residents say the group has been forcibly occupying farmlands during harvest seasons, repeatedly stealing produce, livestock, and farm equipment.
A Conflict the Government Has Failed to Contain
The latest violence mirrors numerous previous incidents in Malinan and Estado, all tied to a bitter land dispute involving over 150 hectares of farmland long claimed by different parties.
For months, more than 100 armed men have maintained their presence in the disputed area, refusing to withdraw despite multiple negotiations led by the Kidapawan City Government, the local police, and soldiers from the 72nd and 40th Infantry Battalions.
Kidapawan City Police Chief Lt. Col. Jose Marie Simangan previously confirmed that the group, represented by a certain Commander Abdullah Imbong, has repeatedly insisted they will not leave unless a formal dialogue takes place. During early negotiations, Imbong himself did not show up and instead sent a representative from Cotabato City.
Authorities have clarified that the group is not affiliated with the MILF or MNLF. The case has already been forwarded to the Cotabato Provincial Government, but residents complain that no concrete action has been taken to address the escalating violence.
Long History of Violence and Evacuations
Sunday’s clash is only the latest in a series of violent incidents:
- October 14: At least 124 families fled their homes in Malinan after gunfire broke out between unidentified armed factions. CDRRM teams evacuated residents from five puroks as hostilities intensified.
- October 31: Another firefight erupted in Sitio Tuburan, forcing 14 families from Barangay Estado to evacuate. Armed men were seen taking positions along the boundary.
- Earlier incidents: Armed groups reportedly seized farm lots, looted homes, and brought truckloads of seedlings into the disputed farmland—described by residents as an attempted large-scale land occupation.
The conflict is rooted in overlapping land claims, with a prominent family asserting ancestral ownership since the 1950s, while another group claims legal title to portions of the same land. In a meeting last September 13, a representative of the claimant family—identified only as “Maki”—failed to present proof of ownership, further complicating the dispute.
Residents Plead for Help
Despite the repeated outbreaks of violence, residents say the government has yet to implement a decisive solution to stop the armed occupation. Many fear that the situation will worsen, especially with the group now visibly expanding its area of control into nearby barangays.
Local farmers, many of whom have lost harvests, livestock, and property, are appealing for urgent intervention from the provincial government, the police, and the military.
“Hanggang ngayon, kami pa rin ang nangangamba. Wala pa rin aksyon. Kailan pa kami matutulungan?” a resident said, expressing fears that the conflict may soon escalate into full-scale armed confrontation.
As of this writing, gunfire can still be heard along the Estado–Malinan boundary. Residents remain on alert, uncertain of when they can safely return to their farms or homes. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the latest incident.