MIDSAYAP, Cotabato — More than 800 residents from Barangay Malingao in the municipality of Kadayangan, Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), fled their homes Thursday night after an intense exchange of gunfire erupted between still unidentified armed groups, forcing entire communities to seek refuge in safer areas.
The violence, which reportedly began shortly after 8 p.m. on June 4 and intensified around 9:15 p.m., triggered a mass evacuation involving approximately 160 families from several puroks of Barangay Malingao. Many of the displaced residents crossed into neighboring areas and sought temporary shelter at the covered court of Barangay Palomoguen in Midsayap, Cotabato, which quickly transformed into an evacuation center overnight.
Families arrived carrying only essential belongings as fear spread throughout the community. Among those displaced were children, women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities who hurriedly abandoned their homes after hearing sustained bursts of gunfire.
According to accounts from evacuees, the firefight appeared to have started near the boundary of Purok 1 and Purok 4 before spreading to other sections of the barangay. Residents reported hearing continuous gunfire from the direction of Dimapulot and claimed to have seen armed men moving within the area, prompting them to immediately flee.
Several affected residents said some families from Purok 5 and Purok 6 were unable to evacuate immediately due to the intensity of the gunfire. Instead, they reportedly sought cover in portions of Purok 7 to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Authorities confirmed that at least one civilian, a young boy, was struck by a stray bullet during the incident. The child was immediately rushed for medical treatment. Details regarding his condition were not immediately available as of press time.
Residents also reported that one house was allegedly entered by armed men during the encounter. According to the homeowner’s initial account, the armed individuals temporarily used the residence as a hiding place, prompting the family to leave the area for safety.
The Kadayangan Municipal Police Station said it received an emergency call from Barangay Chairman Norodin Dilangalen informing authorities of the ongoing firefight in Barangay Malingao. Police immediately coordinated with the 33rd Infantry Battalion and the local government of Kadayangan to verify the situation and prepare a response.
However, responding security forces reportedly could not immediately enter the area due to the continuing exchange of gunfire at the time of reporting.
As of Friday morning, authorities had yet to determine the identities, affiliations, and exact number of armed individuals involved in the clash. No official report has been released identifying the groups responsible for the encounter.
Local authorities continue to monitor the security situation while conducting verification and investigation efforts. Officials have also urged residents to remain calm, stay vigilant, and follow safety advisories as security operations continue.
Despite the scale of the displacement, no fatalities have been officially recorded as of this writing. Humanitarian assistance and support for the displaced families are being coordinated while authorities work to restore peace and ensure the safe return of residents to their communities.
The incident highlights the continuing security challenges in parts of the BARMM’s Special Geographic Area, where sporadic armed confrontations continue to disrupt civilian life and force vulnerable communities from their homes.
Authorities are expected to release further updates once security forces gain full access to the affected areas and complete their assessment of the situation.