MAKILALA, Cotabato — A long-standing land dispute turned deadly after a 41-year-old farmer succumbed to a gunshot wound to the forehead, allegedly inflicted by a 49-year-old man in Barangay Kisante, Makilala, Cotabato, on the evening of July 11.
The Makilala Municipal Police Station identified the suspect as Joefrey Labaya Cagas, 49, a resident of Purok 5C, Barangay Kisante. The victim was identified as Vergil Respante Payla, 41, a farmer and resident of neighboring Purok 5B in the same barangay.
According to the police’s initial investigation, at around 7:30 p.m., authorities received a report from a Barangay Kisante official regarding a man suspected of involvement in a shooting incident who was already being held by barangay personnel.
Police alert teams, intelligence operatives, and duty investigators immediately responded to the area to verify the report and conduct an investigation.
Investigators said the suspect had gone to a sari-sari store where the victim was reportedly using the establishment’s Wi-Fi connection. It was there that the suspect allegedly pulled out a .38 caliber revolver and shot Payla once in the forehead.
Following the shooting, the suspect voluntarily surrendered to a member of the Barangay Peace Action Team (BPAT) and was brought to the barangay outpost for documentation before being turned over to the police.
The wounded victim was rushed to the Makilala Medical Specialist Hospital, where doctors attempted to save his life. However, despite medical intervention, Payla later succumbed to his injuries. His death was confirmed by his sister-in-law, Cecille Payla, who announced the tragic news in a social media post on Sunday morning.
In her emotional appeal, Cecille said the family is struggling financially following Payla’s death and is seeking assistance to cover funeral expenses, the purchase of a coffin, hospital bills, and other related costs.
“Maayong adlaw sa tanan, gapangayo mig ginagmay nga tabang tungod kay akong bayaw nga si Vergel Respante Payla namatay ganinang buntag tungod kay gipusil kini sa Kisante, Makilala, North Cotabato. Kulang kaayo ang financial para sa lungon, billing sa hospital ug uban pa. Dili makaya sa among kamot ang tanang bayaran kay kami usab naglisod. Salamat,” her post read.
Police recovered from the suspect a .38 caliber revolver without a serial number, loaded with four live rounds and one spent cartridge casing inside the cylinder.
A deeper investigation revealed that the suspect and the victim had allegedly been involved in a long-standing conflict over a parcel of land, which investigators are treating as the primary motive behind the shooting.
Authorities said the suspect was informed of his constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine, underwent a medical examination, and was subsequently placed under the custody of the Makilala Municipal Police Station.
Appropriate criminal charges are now being prepared for filing before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, while investigators continue gathering additional evidence related to the case.
The incident underscores how unresolved land conflicts continue to escalate into deadly violence, highlighting the need for peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms before disagreements result in irreversible tragedy.