Villagers Displaced as Gunmen Attack Cotabato Enclave

Hundreds of families have been displaced and are hesitant to return to their homes in Kadayangan, Cotabato, after gunmen attacked houses with assault rifles on Wednesday night, May 27, 2026. The incident occurred in Purok 4, Barangay Central Labas.

Local authorities, including Capt. Steffie Salanguit of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and Brig. Gen. Ricky Bunayog of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, confirmed that efforts are underway to resolve the situation. Local executives, Moro datus, and Muslim religious leaders are actively engaged in mediating between the involved parties.

Investigators and community leaders identified the perpetrators as belonging to one of two groups engaged in a "rido," a traditional clan war, with certain residents. Reports suggest that one of the rival groups has ties to barangay officials who were hostile to villagers supporting their political adversaries in the May 12, 2025, local elections.

Displaced residents expressed their suffering due to the conflict, even those not directly involved. A 60-year-old farmer, Onting Amerudin, stated in Filipino, "We are not involved in that conflict but we are the ones suffering most from its serious consequences." Officials remain optimistic that the conflict can be settled, allowing normalcy to be restored in Barangay Central Labas.

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We are not involved in that conflict but we are the ones suffering most from its serious consequences.