The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has demanded a full and impartial investigation into a violent clash that claimed seven lives on the border of North Cotabato and Kidapawan City. The regional government expressed deep concern over the incident, which involved members of two major Moro groups.
Clash Erupts Over Long-Standing Land Dispute
The deadly confrontation occurred at dawn on November 24 in Barangay Malinan, Kidapawan City. According to authorities, the violence was triggered by a long-standing dispute over a parcel of land. The firefight began at the boundary of Matalam, North Cotabato, before spilling into the neighboring barangay.
Police described the event as a 30-minute armed encounter that led to hours of sporadic gunfire. The clash forced terrified residents to flee their homes. Among the seven fatalities, five were identified as members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and two were from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
All seven were reportedly claimants to the contested land and hailed from Cotabato City and Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
BARMM Leadership Condemns Violence, Stresses Due Process
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 27, BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua strongly condemned the attack. He stated that any act resulting in loss of life is unacceptable and threatens the peace upheld under Moral Governance.
"In view of the initial and varying accounts surrounding the incident, we call for a thorough investigation to immediately establish verified facts, determine accountability, and ensure that due process is strictly observed," Macacua said.
He urged law enforcement, Peace Process mechanisms, and local authorities to coordinate closely. The Chief Minister also called on the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and allow the investigative process to proceed.
Police Clarify: 'Armed Encounter, Not a Massacre'
Provincial police officials provided their account, clarifying the nature of the incident. Lt. James Warren Caang, spokesperson for the Cotabato Provincial Police Office (CPPO), emphasized that the fatalities were part of an armed group that entered the disputed property.
"It was an armed encounter, not a massacre," Caang stated in a local media interview. He explained that the men were enforcing their claim over the land around 5 a.m. when they came under fire.
Authorities revealed that one survivor managed to escape. This individual told police they were ambushed by unidentified armed men wearing masks, though he could not identify their affiliation.
Aftermath: Displacement, Security, and Ongoing Tensions
In the wake of the clash, an on-site assessment was conducted by acting Provincial Director Col. Jerson Birrey and Brig. Gen. Ricky Bunayog of the 602nd Brigade, alongside teams from the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG).
Despite a heightened security presence, anxiety grips the community. Approximately 30 families have sought temporary shelter in evacuation centers, fearing retaliation or the presence of other armed elements.
Investigators face jurisdictional questions, working to determine if the incident occurred under Matalam or Kidapawan City, which could affect legal proceedings. Notably, no firearms were recovered from the site during the initial sweep.
Police have contacted the family of one victim, encouraging them to file a formal complaint if they identify suspects. This would allow authorities to seek arrest warrants. The bodies of the deceased have been buried following Islamic funeral rites.
Caang added that tensions over the same land had previously escalated in August, when armed individuals attempted to occupy the area, highlighting the persistent nature of the conflict.
